Tax Preparer Volunteer Description
The volunteer Tax Preparer helps qualified working families prepare their Federal and State tax returns, using an interview-based software program, with the objective of ensuring that all eligible families apply for and receive the Earned Income Tax Credit .
Tax Preparer Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Prepares tax returns for taxpayers who qualify for VITA assistance. Tax returns are typically a simple 1040 or 1040-EZ unless the volunteer wants to participate in further training.
- Answers basic taxpayer questions and refers taxpayers for additional assistance as necessary to local the IRS office, Low Income Tax Clinics (LITC), etc.
- Informs clients about other services available through the Atlanta Prosperity Campaign and its partners.
Tax Preparer Volunteer Qualifications:
- Complete a training session (3-6 hrs) on basic tax law and TaxWise software in January.
- Pass an IRS-certification exam through Basic although you can also test up to Intermediate or Advanced levels. This exam is open-book, untimed.
- Strong computer skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Good attention to detail.
We have sites located across metro Atlanta. You will have the opportunity to select the site most convenient to you. We require a minimum of 15 volunteer hours during the tax season.
In order to devote more time to hands-on examples during class, ALL Tax Preparer Training Courses have a required self-study training module to be completed PRIOR to attending the in-class training session.
Certification is NOT required prior to training. However, if you would like to take the certification test and/or have completed training, please click the following links for instructions and accessing the certification test and the Practice Lab software to aid in practice problems and testing.
