For Volunteers
What do tax volunteers do?
There
are two jobs for volunteers: Volunteer Tax Assistor and Intake Coordinator/Greeter.
Volunteer Tax Assistors prepare
basic tax returns, using Tax Wise software, and file them electronically.
Intake Coordinator/Greeters oversee client sign-in,
assist clients in completing the Intake sheet and direct them to the complementary on-site services where available.
Do I need to be a “math” person to volunteer
as a Tax Assistor?
Not at all. All the math is done by computer. You need to like to meet new people and to think logically, so that you get
the information you need to complete the return. You also need basic computer and typing skills.
How do I get the training?
You
must be certified by the IRS at the Basic and Intermediate level to be a Volunteer Tax Assistor. Greeters must be certified
at the Basic level.
There are several
ways to get the training and certification:
- A
two-day Training Workshop is offered for new volunteers, December 5 and 12 from 8:30 - 4:00 at the Worrell Business Center's
computer lab on the WFU campus. This workshop includes Tax Law (this teaches you the questions to ask) and using the
Tax-Wise software. Workbooks are provided. Contact Shirley Abdullah to register
- You can take an online "Link and Learn" course from the IRS. This
interactive course teaches the basics needed to accurately prepare 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ income tax returns for individuals
and is completely self-paced. The 2009 tax year course and
information is now available at http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/ If you do this, you can get the accompanying workbooks from Shirley Abdullah or Phiphine Tart-Moore at ESR or download
them as PDF files (see Links page). These are large publications, so you might not want to print
them. The Link and Learn course also provides Practice Lab using the
online software. Get information about Practice Lab by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
- You can also use the workbooks alone to study for the tests.
- There will be a tax law training class for new volunteers from 8:30AM- 4:00PM on
January 12 & 13, 2010 in the Dogwood Room in the Kinston Bldg., 2303 W. Meadowview Rd., Greensboro. The NC Division
of Revenue will conduct a class on January 14 from 9AM - Noon. Refresher for seasoned volunteers will be from 1PM –
4PM on January 14 and 8:30AM - Noon on January 15. Yes, seasoned volunteers can come to the two day class and new volunteers
can also come to the refresher class. If you’d like to attend any of these classes, please let John Lenik know.
John’s email address is: John.Lenik@irs.gov.
AARP also offers the training in a several formats in
January. Contact Steve Graf at 336-653-9222 for more information.
There
is no charge for the training or materials.
How do I take the certification tests?
In order to be certified, you must pass the Basic and Intermediate tests, either
online or on paper (if on paper, Shirley Abdullah at ESR will grade your test). If you do it online, you can print out your certificates and bring them to the first session.
How much time am I expected to volunteer?
Volunteer Tax Assistors are
asked to commit at least ten hours a month for the 3-month tax season (30 hours total, mid-January to mid-April), but most
volunteer one or two sessions a week (three to four hours each). You can be flexible and volunteer at different sites as your
schedule permits. You can sign up for the shifts and locations that are most convenient.
Intake Coordinator/Greeters are asked to work for 4 hours at least once a week.
Where are
the tax preparation sites this year?
VITA sites for 2009 include libraries and agencies throughout Forsyth County. Locations and times of operation are
on the Sites page.
What if I make a mistake?
No one’s perfect.
But you will be well trained and there are several checks on your work. The tax software catches most errors, and each return
is reviewed by the site manager, a Quality Specialist, or VITA director before it is actually filed.
As a VITA
volunteer you are protected from any liability for any mistakes you make.
How long does it take to prepare a return?
Most returns can be
completed in a half-hour or so. Returns for taxpayers who have multiple employers or many dependents, child care expenses,
and education credits may take longer. Careful preparation is more important than speed. You want to make sure that the taxpayer
reports income and deductions accurately, pays only what he/she owes, and gets the maximum refund for which he/she is eligible.
Why is this free tax preparation program important?
First, you are directly helping people who don’t make a lot of money to get
what they’ve earned. Even if a taxpayer isn’t eligible for the EITC, you have saved them hundreds of dollars that
a tax preparation firm would charge. And if you have filed for the EITC for someone who would otherwise have filed a 1040-EZ
and missed this credit, your work may have added up to $4700 to their pocket. Think what difference that could make for a
family trying to buy their first house, pay off bills, or just keep their children in clothes and food.
Second,
the EITC helps our local economy. The IRS estimates that Forsyth County taxpayers did not claim $8,000,000 (yes, eight million
dollars) in EITC for which they were eligible. That’s money that could be spent locally and support our local economy.
By offering free tax preparation, you can help ensure that those dollars come home.
I need more information!
Call Shirley Abdullah at ESR - 722-9400 x 450 for more information or to sign up and get materials. Or send her an
email with your contact information.
