How to Become a Volunteer
- Sign Up: Choose your role, location, and availability.
- Attend Orientation: Join us for an orientation session on Zoom or watch the recorded session later.
- Complete Training & Certification: Watch training videos, access study materials, and pass the necessary exams by Jan. 25, 2025. Open-book tests are available for your convenience.
- Volunteer: Commit to a minimum of 24 hours during tax season (Feb. 1 - April 15, 2025) and make a difference in your community.
Training Requirements by Volunteer Role
No Tax Certification Required
Greeter/Screener
Training Topics:
- Customer service best practices
- Document checklist and screening procedures
- Overview of site operations and flow
Estimated Training Time: 2-3 hours
Interpreter
Training Topics:
- Basics of tax site operations
- Language interpretation tips and techniques
- Glossary of tax-related terms
Estimated Training Time: 1-2 hours
Tax Certification Required
Tax Preparer
Training Topics:
- Volunteer Standards of Conduct exam
- Intake/Interview & Quality Review process
- Advanced Tax Law Certification:
- Filing status, dependents, credits (e.g., Childcare Tax Credit, Earned Income Credit)
- Common deductions and income types
- Use of electronic tax filing software
Estimated Training Time: 15-20 hours
Site Coordinator
Training Topics:
- Site leadership and management skills
- Volunteer Standards of Conduct exam
- Scheduling tools and coordination strategies
- Overview of tax site logistics (supplies, equipment, troubleshooting)
- Optional Tax Law Certification (depending on site needs)
Estimated Training Time: 8-10 hours
Quality Reviewer
Minimum of TWO YEARS tax preparation experience needed for this role.
Training Topics:
- Advanced Tax Law Certification: Same topics as Tax Preparer training
- Detailed walkthrough of quality review process
- Common errors and how to correct them
- IRS Quality Standards and taxpayer communication
Estimated Training Time: 12-15 hours
General Notes on Training
- All volunteers must attend a general orientation session (live or recorded) to understand the program's goals, structure, and expectations.
- Training materials will include:
- IRS-provided resources (e.g., Volunteer Resource Guide, Pub 4012).
- Access to training software for hands-on practice.
- Open-book certification exams will be available online, and volunteers are encouraged to reach out for support if needed.