TaxHelp senior volunteer helps the blind

TaxHelp for Older People in New Malden is a charity organization that, as its title suggests, helps older people become aware of the tax benefits that they are entitled to. A volunteer at the organisation, David Cohen, took the work a step further by helping blind people to claim their full tax benefits.

The 67-year-old tax accountant can sympathise all too well with the plight of older people in attempting to navigate their way through the tax office and the complications of tax issues and laws. Mr. Cohen lost his sight three years ago, and decided to turn his misfortune into an opportunity to help others.

Ironically, it is precisely those who are in most need of tax benefits that do not take advantage of these because of limitations such as old age and impaired health. Often, they are simply not aware of their tax rights.

This is what Mr. Cohen and his fellow volunteers, numbering in the range of 700 throughout the country, are there to achieve. According to an article in The Kingston Guardian, 344 Kingston residents are registered blind, with a further 258 partially blind.

Only one third of these persons claimed the Blind Persons Allowance (BPA) that they are entitled to.

According to Mr. Cohen, the service he provides is targeted at older people who cannot afford the professional services of a lawyer or accountant.

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