Interested in learning new skills and giving back to your community? The 2020 tax season is right around the corner. Join the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and volunteer as an administrative assistant! Help provide free tax assistance to people with low-to-moderate income, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, and others who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Help individuals and families get their tax refunds, save money on tax preparation and filing fees, comply with tax filing laws, retain and build assets, and learn about financial literacy. Administrative assistants work directly with Site Coordinators to support clients, schedule appointments, and maintain site flow.

Responsibilities:

• Answer phone calls and questions related to VITA processing such as general eligibility, required documentation, and walk-in and appointment hours
• Use scheduling software to set up and manage appointments for clients
• Make confirmation calls to clients one day prior to their appointments
• Answer all client questions
• 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:

• Pass the Standard of Conduct and Intake/Interview & Quality Review 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 2020
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills and comfort with a wide range of people
• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision
• Commitment to strengthening families by increasing self-sufficiency
• Strong computer literacy with experience using multiple applications (including Word, Excel, and Google Apps)
• Strong time management skills with the ability to quickly access priorities and make adjustments as needed
• Basic tax law knowledge
• Bilingual in English and Cantonese, Mandarin or Spanish a plus!

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