VITA Tax Preparer

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Tax Preparers assist low-income wage earners complete their tax returns. Tax Preparers receive free training and are certified by the IRS.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct intake interviews to fully understand taxpayer’s tax situation and ensure the correct tax law is applied and all allowable credits are claimed.
• Provide high-quality tax return preparation and answer tax-related questions for all taxpayers.
• Assist taxpayers with electronically filing returns whenever possible.
• Contact the site coordinator or IRS support hotline for assistance when necessary.
• Provide information about other programs, such as food stamps, that taxpayers may be able to utilize (if applicable at your VITA site).
• Review completed returns for accuracy if certified to the Intermediate level.
• Ensure a copy of the completed tax return is provided to the taxpayer.
• Encourage clients to save a portion of their refund as a savings bond or in a savings account or safe and secure prepaid debit card.
• Maintain confidentiality of taxpayer information.
• Ensure no compensation of any kind is accepted for volunteer services provided.

Requirements:

• Successfully pass the IRS certification test on required tax law knowledge.
• Only prepare returns within your certification scope (i.e. only Advanced preparers can help clients with itemized deductions).
• Read all communications and updates on tax requirements or procedural changes.
• Respect client privacy.
• Maintain accurate records of assistance provided.
• Give 24-hour cancellation notice when unable to volunteer at your site.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work as a volunteer one shift per week (4 hours), totaling at least 30 hours from January 24 th to April 15 th, 2017.
• Strong verbal and communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and comfort with a wide range of people.
• Computer skills for entering tax information (formal training will be provided).
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to strengthening families by increasing self-sufficiency.
• Basic tax knowledge a plus.

Training (to be provided by us Dec-Jan):

• Modules 1-6 required.
• Pass Basic IRS certification test. Passing score on Advanced IRS certification test optional.
• Pass the Standard of Conduct certification through Link and Learn.

We will have three orientation sessions in November and December. To sign up, please follow this link:http://tinyurl.com/jmatyy9.

If you have any questions, please contact Meg Heisler at mheisler@ebaldc.org or (510) 606-1786.