Local volunteer tax preparer recognized for years of service
Ed Leidecker became a volunteer tax preparer for the Volunteer Tax Assistance program at McHenry County College 11 years ago to help people and learn about taxes. But his commitment resulted in much more - helping taxpayers who were facing economic hardship, such as the loss of a job or a sick family member, receive a tax refund.
He and fellow volunteers completed 251 tax returns in the 2007 tax year, giving more than $468,000 back to the McHenry County community. This year, he and others helped 908 clients receive nearly $1.6 million in refunds - an average of $1,757 per return. Overall, in the last 11 years, Ed and other volunteers have completed more than 7,400 tax returns and helped taxpayers receive more than $11 million in refunds.
Open since 2007 tax season, the VITA program prepares tax returns for low to moderate income taxpayers. Tax clinic locations have recently expanded from the college site to also include sites in Harvard and Woodstock.
"Volunteers are critical to the success of the VITA program, and MCC has many volunteers who return year after year," said Ann Esarco, Ph.D., accounting instructor and VITA coordinator. "Even among MCC's excellent volunteers, Ed stands alone because of his cheerful, easygoing attitude, which sets a high bar for other volunteers to meet," Esarco said.
Ed's dedication as an 11-year volunteer for the VITA clinic has earned him the prestigious Excellence in Volunteering Award from his employer, Northrop Grumman, where he works as a senior proposal analyst. He is one of 10 awardees nationwide. In addition, the VITA clinic will receive a $5,000 donation from Northrop Grumman in Ed's honor.
Esarco, who nominated Ed for the award, said he goes above and beyond the duties of a VITA volunteer, even staying past midnight to double-check tax returns, which are included in his cumulative 1,000 total volunteer service hours.
"During his 11 years as a volunteer, Ed has graciously accepted the most complex tax returns," Esarco said. "He is extraordinarily patient with people who walk in with literally bags of receipts - most of which turn out to be unnecessary, but still must be carefully reviewed."
At the end of each three-hour tax preparing session, Esarco said, the paid site managers have the long and tedious task of double-checking all of the tax returns that were completed during that session before submitting them to the IRS.
"This process can take two or more hours and the volunteers are long gone, except for Ed, who stays until the final calculation is completed and the last pencil is put away, even if that is not until 2 a.m.," Esarco said.
Leidecker, who lives in Lake Zurich, had some experience before coming to the tax clinic at MCC. At the suggestion of a co-worker, Ed started volunteering for the Center for Economic Progress in Waukegan in 2003. His co-worker ironically passed away on Tax Day, April 15, 2007. When the CEP opened the VITA clinic at MCC that tax year, Ed said he decided to continue to volunteer in his co-worker's honor.
"I like helping people and seeing their reactions when they are told that they are getting a huge refund and what it means to them," Ed said.
When asked why he devotes extra hours to the tax preparing clinic, Leidecker quipped, "Because I'm crazy."
"Seriously, I do it to learn more about the tax clinic operations and to learn what types of mistakes are being made so that I can avoid making similar errors and to pass along information and knowledge to the newer volunteers," Ed said.
Many taxpayers who return to the clinic request Ed each year because he makes them feel comfortable and confident, Esarco said.
"Ed's dedication and excellence are key factors in all that the VITA program has been able to accomplish," Esarco said.
Esarco said that VITA volunteers have a positive effect on the lives of McHenry County residents. For example, many taxpayers are astonished when they learn that they have a large refund or qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit.
"Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, money stays in the hands of the county residents who need it most," Esarco said. "More fiscal stability for VITA clients results in a stronger community for everyone."