Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Volunteer Information
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS-sponsored program that provides FREE tax preparation and e-filing services for low to moderate income taxpayers. CCEB is a member of the United Way Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Partnership.
CCEB offers VITA services during the tax season at our downtown Oakland site, our Concord site, and our Richmond site.
Last year, VITA volunteers working with Catholic Charities of the East Bay helped 614 low- to moderate-income individuals, families, and seniors to prepare and file their tax returns, and receive $708,468 in refunds. We need your help to reach even more families in 2012!
Join our exciting team of volunteers. You can receive training through the United Way of the Bay Area.
Volunteer Requirements:
- All VITA tax preparers and screeners must be trained and certified by the IRS. Training class schedules vary by county and begin in December and/or January. On average, three to four days of classroom instruction is offered. For tax professionals or experienced volunteers, an online training and certification tool is available in November.
- Site operation hours vary by site but each volunteer is asked to commit to volunteer regularly (at least a 4 hour shift per week), beginning late January through April 15th.
- All volunteers need to be comfortable working with a computer.
Volunteer Positions
Tax Preparer: Tax preparers assist taxpayers with their tax returns during the tax season. Volunteers will complete a training course and become IRS certified to prepare taxes. Bilingual tax preparers are always in high demand.
Screener: Screeners are responsible for assisting clients with the intake form and ensuring taxpayers have the correct tax documents and identification. This is a critical role as it is the initial point at which important tax return information is gathered and verified.
Interpreter: Interpreters aid taxpayers by working alongside the tax clients and tax preparers. Spanish speaking Volunteers are always needed. Training is provided by CCEB.
Greeter: Greeters welcome tax filers to the tax site during the tax season, and may also inform taxpayers about other available community resources. Training is provided by CCEB.
Outreach Ambassador: Spread the word about free tax help by distributing flyers in the community.
Outreach Ambassador Captain: Lead a team of volunteers distributing flyers in the community.
Interested in volunteering or learning more?
Sign up online at http://www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org/volunteer/signup
Call CCEB at 510.768.3139 510, or the following United Way volunteer coordinators for specific questions:
Alameda County - Vanessa Muniz 510.238.2424
Contra Costa County - Vanessa Muniz 510.238.2424
