VITA Tax Preparer

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Our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program provides free tax preparation to low-income individuals and families, allowing them to receive the maximum refund possible, to meet their own pressing basic needs or save for the future.

Benefits to volunteer:

• Help families stay in their homes, put food on the table and save for the future
• Engage in gratifying volunteer work - interact directly with the people you are helping and see the immediate impact of your work
• Develop/refine new or existing skills; gain valuable experience in preparing income tax returns and encountering various tax issues
• Develop/refine client counseling skills in a protected environment
• Networking/resume building opportunity

Time Commitment and Training:

• Attendance at three 3-hour training sessions required for new volunteers. (Various dates in
  Dec & Jan, registration required): VITA 101, Federal Tax Training, Michigan Tax Training
• Approximately 4-12 hours of self-study and exam completion required in Dec or Jan
• Minimum of four 3.5 shifts between the first week of February through early April
• Hours: Shifts are available on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5-8:30 and Saturdays 9:45am-1pm and
  12:45-4pm

Duties:

• Provide top-notch customer service with empathy and compassion
• Complete all required training & certification exams
• Review intake sheet/tax documents with participants & prepare tax returns using our software
• Complete the close out process for finished returns
• Communicate with participants about their tax return, answer questions, and arrange for client
  to bring in additional information, if necessary

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Ability to have empathy for others and provide top-notch customer service
• Attend required in-person training & pass IRS Ethics & Basic certification tests
• Additional certification at the Advanced Level and HSA is strongly encouraged
• Ability to accurately follow written instructions
• Competency with the use of computers and printers
• Some experience in preparing individual income tax returns or taxation course is useful but
  not required
• Must be 18 or older

Supervisor: Site Coordinator. All returns will be independently reviewed, so you are not working alone and help is available when you need it!