Volunteer Tax Assistor
Purpose of Position:
- Provide FREE tax return preparation assistance to taxpayers in the community, including those persons with a low to limited income, persons with disabilities, and elderly individuals.
Length of Appointment:
- February 1 through April 15; renewable upon agreement with the volunteer.
Responsibilities:
- Attend basic and/or refresher tax law training as needed, including the use of electronic filing software.
- Successfully pass a test on required tax law knowledge.
- Provide high-quality tax return preparation assistance to all taxpayers.
VITA Site:
- Directly prepare taxpayer’s return based on information provided by taxpayer or answer tax related questions.
- Interview taxpayer to determine if all income, deductions and allowable credits are claimed.
- Prepare only those tax returns for which training was provided.
- Prepare tax returns using electronic filing software (whenever possible).
- Refer taxpayers with complex returns to a tax practitioner or firm. However, volunteers should never refer taxpayers to a specific practitioner or firm.
- Ensure no compensation of any kind is accepted for the volunteer services provided.
- Maintain confidentiality of taxpayer information.
- Ensure on-site quality review is performed on completed returns prior to being returned to taxpayer.
- Ensure no compensation of any kind is accepted for the volunteer services provided.
- Maintain confidentiality of taxpayer information.
- Ensure a copy of the completed return is provided to the taxpayer.
Fast Site:
- Answer tax related questions
- Interview taxpayer to see if they qualify for FAST Program
- Assist only those tax returns for which training was provided.
- Refer taxpayers with complex returns to a tax practitioner or firm. However, volunteers should never refer taxpayers to a specific practitioner or firm.
- Ensure no compensation of any kind is accepted for the volunteer services provided.
- Maintain confidentiality of taxpayer information.
- Remind taxpayer to print a completed copy of the return to keep with their personal records.
Qualifications:
- Basic tax knowledge (Form 1040, Form 1040A and Form 1040EZ). Basic tax training will be provided as needed, via classroom or on-line through Link & Learn.
- Willingness to share time, skills, and interests – e.g., volunteer an average of 2 to 4 hours per week on VITA/TCE from approximately February 1 through April 15.
- Basic computer skills for inputting tax return information.
- Pride in performing tasks completely and accurately.
- Deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner, including interviewing skills. Interviewing skills training will be provided as needed.
- Friendly, dependable and flexible.
Support Available:
- Orientation, training and on-site support will be provided by the Volunteer Site Coordinator at the VITA Sites.
- Technical support will also be available from the Internal Revenue Service via local IRS SPEC Tax Consultants and via phone through IRS VITA Hotline-available for VITA and FAST.
Time Required:
- The exact volunteer time required depends on specific responsibilities, number of other volunteers assigned to the volunteer site, size of the VITA/TCE site and volume of traffic. Time will also be required before February to attend either a basic or refresher tax law course, including the use of electronic filing software.