Help families get needed tax refunds!

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Interested in learning new skills and giving back to your community?The 2022-23 tax season is right around the corner.

Join the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program! Help give free tax help to people with low-to-moderate income, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, and others who need support in preparing their own tax returns. You'll help individuals and families receive their tax refunds, save money on tax preparation and filing fees, comply with tax filing laws, keep and build assets, and learn about financial literacy.

Volunteers can also work as greeters, interpreters, savings coaches, and admin support for our tax site. No prior experience in taxes, accounting, or economics is needed! Volunteers can also receive tax training and prepare individuals' tax returns.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with staff and volunteers to facilitate the workflow of site, specifically the Site Coordinator and administrative assistants (answering phones, scheduling appointments, etc.)
• Welcome clients in a warm and proactive manner
• Assist clients with intake forms and assess their asset building needs and goals
• Share information on savings products and services; help clients identify which product(s) might best fit their goals
• Prepare tax returns efficiently, effectively, and correctly (if a tax preparer -- all training will be given by EBALDC and no prior experience is necessary!).
• Refer clients, as needed, to free financial coaching services and products such as savings and budgeting, debt management and credit building
• Aid with administrative responsibilities, including data collection to document outcomes
• Encourage clients to save a portion of their refund as a savings bond or in a savings account or secure prepaid debit card
• Maintain confidentiality of taxpayer information
• Ensure no compensation of any kind is accepted for volunteer services provided

Requirements:

• Pass the Standard of Conduct and Intake/Interview & Quality Review certifications through Link and Learn
• If a tax preparer, pass the Basic and/or Advanced tax preparation certifications through Link and Learn
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills and comfort with a wide range of people
• 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 late January to mid-April 2023
  • Training is offered from December 2022 to January 2023. There will be opportunities to join our tax site as well if you learn about the training after it has happened.
• Strong verbal and communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills and comfort with a wide range of people. Ease talking to people about their financial situation and supporting their financial decision-making
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Commitment to strengthening families by increasing self-sufficiency
• Previous experience with personal finances preferred but not required
• Language skills in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, or another language is a plus!

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form or email us at volunteer@ebaldc.org.

Thank you!