The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s Program Quality and Innovation Unit assists offices that help newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progressing to living wage jobs; learning basic financial management skills and building assets; starting small businesses; and access Earned Income Tax Credit. Under the supervision of the Tax Site Coordinator, Volunteer Tax Screeners will ensure that taxpayers have all the necessary information and documents required to complete a tax return. The program is offering services to clients in ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ offices located in Phoenix, AZ; Denver, CO; Elizabeth, NJ; New York, NY; Dallas, TX; and Salt Lake City, UT. The ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s goal is to assist 4,000 taxpayers in preparing their returns in a safe, culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. 

 

COMMITMENT: January- April 2024 between 3-15 hours per week. Volunteers must pass a self-paced online certification before they can begin volunteering. 

 

LOCATION: North West Community 5750 Pineland Dr, Dallas, TX 75231

 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Refer taxpayers with ‘out-of-scope’ returns to a professional return preparer.  
  • Complete all ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ and IRS-mandated trainings and certifications, including the Standards of Conduct (VSC) certification and Basic level certification (̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ prefers certifying at the Advanced level). 
  • Ensure the taxpayer has brought the required documents (e.g. valid photo identification, Social Security card(s), W-2, 1099, 1095, prior year’s return, etc.) for tax return completion. Give each taxpayer Form 13614-C and the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet to complete.  
  • Explain the site’s return preparation process to the taxpayer. Provide assistance in scanning and uploading necessary tax documents while also verifying taxpayer identification. 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:  

1. The volunteer will learn how to coordinate VITA program effectively   

2. The volunteer will learn about providing financial services to community members. 

 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Volunteers must pass a self-paced online certification before they can begin 
  • High school diploma required.  Students studying finance, accounting, or a related field, preferred. 
  • No previous experience as a VITA volunteer is required – ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ will provide the required training for the program per ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡â€™s and the IRS’s policies.  
  • Excellent customer service skills, including experience working with a diverse client base; 
  • Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail; 
  • High level of computer literacy;  
  • High level of comfort and effectiveness in working with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams; 
  • Strong commitment to economic empowerment of low-income and underserved populations;  
  • Go through an ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ background check  

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

  • The position will require travel to the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ office (6500 Greenville Ave Dallas, TX) or Northwest Community Center in Dallas. Standard, professional office environment. 
  • Some evening and Saturday hours are available 

 

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Attend an info session by emailing [email protected]
  • Submit a volunteer application
  • complete a self-paced online certification through the IRS
  • Pass a background check ($45 contribution is encouraged to offset cost) 
  • Submit the requested paperwork and set a 1st day
  • Begin your service!