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Volunteer with the Tax Centers

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Ways You Can Volunteer

clients, translator and preparer at FC tax center

Apply to Volunteer

Training

Spotlight on Our Volunteers

Helpful Certification Information for Volunteers

Ways You Can Volunteer

There are three volunteer positions with the Community Tax Centers:

  • Volunteer Tax Preparer
  • Intake Specialist
  • Translator

A Volunteer Preparer:
•         Attends up to 10 hours of training to learn how to prepare basic tax returns,
•         Takes a test to be certified by IRS as a volunteer tax preparer,
•         Talks with clients to gather necessary information to prepare a complete and accurate tax return,
•         Prepares tax returns on a computer using TaxWise software,
•         Explains the finished tax return to the client and answers question,  
•         Asks the tax center manager or volunteer coordinator if he/she has questions about the volunteer experience, and
•         Is comfortable: using Windows-based software, working with people from all walks of life, and volunteering in a fast-paced environment.

An Intake Specialist:
•         Attends a 2-hour training class,
•         Welcome clients to the tax center,
•         Reviews and organizes client documents, and
•         Talks with clients to gather necessary information to prepare their tax return.

A Translator:
•         Attends an orientation session,
•         Is not required to have any tax law knowledge, and
•         Uses existing language skills to help clients understand the tax filing process (at least 20% of our clients speak only Spanish).

Time Requirements for all volunteers: From January to April, volunteers commit to at least one 3 hour shift per week or at least 36 hours total.

Apply to Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Community Tax Centers program.  We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010 tax season.  If you would like to be added to the list for 2011 please e-mail Jackie.Blair@foundcom.org thanks!

Training

 New Volunteer Training; Part 1 and Part 2 (8 Hours Total)
New volunteers attend 8 hours of training.  Two 4-hour sessions cover the basics of tax law and the TaxWise software we use at the Community Tax Centers.  At the end of the 8 hours, you will be familiar with the 1040 tax form, know how to determine filing status and dependents, and understand income, tax deductions, and tax credits.   

Returning Volunteer Training (4 Hours)
Returning volunteers attend 4 hours of training.  This 4 hour course will be a refresher to the TaxWise software and tax knowledge.  We will review the most common errors and introduce any new tax law.  This training is for any volunteer that has volunteered as a tax preparer with the Community Tax Centers program and just needs a refresher to tax law and TaxWise.  

Advanced Training (4 Hours)
Welcome back, seasoned volunteers!  This training is for any volunteer who has prepared tax returns with the Community Tax Centers or a VITA program for 3 or more years.  We’ll cover tax law changes, new tax center procedures, and areas that need clarification.  We will not review TaxWise.

W7 Applications for ITIN (2 Hours)
Learn the proper way to fill out a W7 application so clients can obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).  Volunteers completed over 1,600 W7 forms during the 2009 tax season, and our clients are depending on you to complete the form correctly!  We strongly encourage everyone to take this training, including returning volunteers.   

Training for Intake Specialists and Translators (2 Hours)
Intake specialists and translators set the tone for a client’s experience at a Community Tax Center and are critical to helping the tax preparation process run smoothly.  Attend this training to learn how to do these important jobs and what’s new for the 2010 tax season.  This training is for new and returning intake specialists and translators.  We also encourage new tax preparation volunteers to attend this training.  We also encourage new tax preparation volunteers to attend this training.

Testing Session (Optional)
We will provide open lab time for any volunteer that would like to come to our computer lab to take the test.  We will not be able to give you the answers to the test, but we will help guide you to a passing score.  Please make sure you sign up and reserve a space.

2010 Community Tax Centers (1/15/10 - 4/15/10)

Bastrop Public Library

1100 Church Street

Bastrop

TX

78602

Dolores Catholic Church

1111 Montopolis Drive

Austin

TX

78741

East Austin Neighborhood Center

211 Comal Street

Austin

TX

78702

Community Financial Center

2600 West Stassney Ln.

Austin

TX

78745

Goodwill Industries

1015 Norwood Park Boulevard

Austin

TX

78752

Allen R Baca Center

301 W. Bagdad Ave, Bldg #2

Round Rock

TX

78664

South Rural Community Center

3518 Fm 973 South

Del Valle

TX

78617

Workforce Solutions, Capital Area

6505 Airport Boulevard

Austin

TX

78752

Spotlight on Our Volunteers

tax center volunteer and client

"It was intimidating at first and taxes don't jump out to be the most fun experience, but the experience, the feeling, the sheer awesomeness is unparalleled!

"The best way to help yourself is to help others. Nowhere is that seen or felt better than at Community Tax Centers."

"These days, I tend to lose faith in humanity; it truly saddens me. What I see happening at Community Tax Centers helps restore my faith in people. Maybe that's what keeps me coming back each year."

UT Students bring in millions...

Professor Brian Lendecky and the McCombs school of Business provide amazing support in a partnership between Foundation Communities and The University of Texas

Learn how UT accounting students helped bring millions in refunds to working tax payers in 2009.

Helpful Certification Information for Volunteers


Volunteer Tax Preparer Certificationvolunteers at workforce
An accurate return is the most important aspect of providing quality service to the taxpayer. All Community Tax Center Volunteers must pass the IRS volunteer tax preparations certification test.  The certification tests cover the major components of return preparation including understanding and applying tax law; screening and interviewing taxpayers; using references, resources, and tools; and conducting quality reviews.

To Prepare for the Certification Test
·    Attend the appropriate training class(es). Contact Jackie Blair if you have questions.
·    Use Link & Learn, the e-learning tool created by the IRS. Link & Learn has five separate training courses: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Military and International.
·    Review the resource materials you receive in the mail from the IRS.

For a better understanding of the process, please watch this 10-minute video.