VITA Tax Preparation Volunteer (NY)

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The IRC in NY’s financial capabilities program aims to increase financial literacy of participants, provide them with financial coaching and access to financial products and services. This program aims to empower participants and boost their confidence to handle their personal finances. Under the supervision of the NY Economic Empowerment Manager, Tax Preparers will provide free, professional tax preparation services for low-income clients through IRC’s National Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program is offering services to clients in NYC with a goal to assist 500 taxpayers in preparing their returns in a safe, culturally, and linguistically appropriate manner – remotely.

1.    Intern will learn how to effectively provide tax preparation services.

2.    Intern will learn how to provide direct services to immigrant populations.

3.    Intern will learn how to instruct courses to English Language Learners.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•Complete all IRC and IRS mandated trainings, including the Intern Standards of Conduct Training and Ethics; the Intern Standards of Conduct certification; and complete the Intake/Interview & Quality Review certification.

•Gain Basic certification to prepare taxes, however, gaining Advanced certification is preferred. To help prepare more complicated returns, certification is needed at the Circular 230, Advanced, Military, Health Savings Accounts, Puerto Rico, Foreign Student, or International tax law levels. Prepare only returns that are within your certification level(s) and within the scope of the VITA/TCE Programs

•Prepare and provide high-quality tax returns to all taxpayers. Interview taxpayers using Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet, to determine if all income, deductions, and allowable credits are claimed.

•Engage the taxpayer when preparing the tax return, to ensure understanding of the information on the intake sheet.

•Advise the taxpayer that he/she is ultimately responsible for the information on the return.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•High school diploma required.  

•Experience in finance, accounting, or a related field, preferred.

•No previous experience required – IRC will provide the required training for the program per IRC’s and the IRS’s policies.

•Availability to attend tax preparation training in January

•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

•Ability to fluently speak at least one of the following languages: Farsi/Dari, Arabic, Spanish, French, Burmese, Mandarin, Russian, Urdu preferred

•Ability to work in-person at IRC office