About Volunteering

A little time can do a lot. Volunteering with the Earn It Keep It Save It initiative is fun, easy, and rewarding. You do not need to be an accountant or have finance background to participate. For those not interested in serving as a tax preparer, there are also non tax-oriented volunteer positions, including client greeter/screener roles, site assistants, site leaders, translators, financial resource specialists and IT managers. In one volunteer hour, you can help return $1,300 to a hardworking family. On one Saturday of volunteering, you can return $5,200 to your community. Save low to moderate-income families the cost of going to a professional tax preparer by volunteering as a tax preparation specialist. Receive free training in simple tax law with an emphasis on the credits available for low-income families. Choice of online, self-study, and hands-on training is available. Spanish speaking and ASL volunteers greatly needed.

Site Coordinator:

Provides coordination, organization, and supervision for all aspects of the free tax site. The site coordinator is also responsible for gathering, maintaining, and compiling timely statistical reports as required. Training: Tax Law and TaxWise classes or self-study and a passing score on the IRS Certification Exam are required for all VITA Site Coordinators.

Tax Preparer:

Assist low- to moderate-income wage earners complete their tax returns during the tax filing season. Tax Preparers receive free training and are certified by the IRS. Tax Preparers work a minimum of 3 hours per week at a VITA site. Training: Tax Law and TaxWise classes or self-study and a passing score on the IRS Certification Exam are required for all VITA Site Tax Preparers.

Electronic Return Transmitter:

Send electronic tax returns to the IRS that were prepared at the VITA site and check the returns for acceptance the next day. Transmitters trouble shoot and fix returns that are rejected by the IRS and may have to contact the filer to fix the rejected return. Returns can be rejected because of incorrect name spelling, incorrect Social Security numbers, or tax law issues. Transmitters work a minimum of 3 hours per week. Training: Tax Law and TaxWise classes or self-study and a passing score on the IRS Certification Exam are required for all VITA Site Electronic Return Transmitters.

Financial Resource Specialist:

Specialists provide information to low- to moderate-income wage earners at free tax preparation sites about asset building opportunities and other community resources, such as housing, healthcare, and food assistance. Specialists also deliver education about the effects of predatory lending. Financial Resource Specialists work a minimum of 3 hours per week. No certification required. Training provided.

Interpreter:

Aid free tax preparation clients by working alongside the tax clients and Tax Preparers. Interpreters work a minimum of 3 hours per week at the free tax preparation site. Volunteers who speak Spanish are in high demand, other languages are also needed. No training required.

Greeter:

Welcome tax filers to the free tax site during the tax season. Greeters are responsible for ensuring that tax filers have all the documents and information needed to complete their tax returns. Greeters work a minimum of 3 hours per week. Some training may be required at some sites