Volunteer with the 2014 Free Tax Campaign

Want to help during the 2014 tax season? Volunteer registration starts in October. Read volunteer descriptions below and sign up to be notified when registration opens.

Help hard-working, low-income families keep more of what they earn and save for the future. Through this volunteer opportunity, you will help families and individuals get their taxes done as well as connect them to savings opportunities and public benefits. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

• Volunteer tax preparers are at the center of the campaign, helping clients complete their tax returns. Volunteers walk clients through their taxes, ensuring that they receive all the credits they are eligible for. Show more detailsHide details

  Skills needed:

  • A willingness to learn. Volunteers don’t need prior tax knowledge to serve. We train volunteers and get them IRS certified so they know everything to prepare taxes.
  • Basic computer skills. All our taxes are done through our tax software, TaxWise.
  • Friendliness. Volunteer Tax Preparers meet tons of clients when volunteering, which is very rewarding. We want our clients to have a good experience and friendly volunteers are the most important part of that!
  • Knowledge of another language. This isn’t a requirement, but it does help! Being able to speak Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian or Tigrinya is especially helpful.

  Time commitment: three to four hours a week from January through April

  Training:

  • For new volunteers, we require two full days of training, dates TBD in December and January.
  • Our training gets volunteers IRS-certified and knowledgeable in tax law and our tax software.
  • Returning volunteers are required to complete one day of refresher training. Returning volunteers can also opt to complete their training online.

  Hide volunteer tax preparer details

• Intake volunteers are the first to see our clients. They help clients get their paperwork in order, answer questions clients may have, and keep the waiting areas efficient and organized. Show more detailsHide details

  Skills needed:

  • Organization. Intake Volunteers need to help keep the sites running smoothly so being organized helps!
  • Friendliness. Intake volunteers are the first to see clients and help answer questions, so having a friendly face up front is important!
  • Knowledge of another language. This isn’t a requirement, but it does help! Being able to speak Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian or Tigrinya is especially helpful.

  Time commitment: three to four hours a week from January through April

  Training: We provide a brief training on the intake process.

  Hide intake volunteer details

• Bridge to Basics volunteers help connect our clients to public benefits they may be eligible for. This includes helping fill out Food Stamp applications and getting clients to save via savings bonds. Show more detailsHide details

  Skills needed:

  • A friendly, outgoing personality. Bridge to Basics Volunteers will oftentimes need to take the initiative to speak to clients and let them know of all the services available. This is a great opportunity to meet new people.
  • A willingness to learn. We teach volunteers everything they need to know about the benefits and services available as well as who qualifies for them.
  • Knowledge of another language. This isn’t a requirement, but it does help! Being able to speak Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian or Tigrinya is especially helpful.

  Time commitment: three to four hours a week from January through April

  Training: We provide one full day of training on the services available.

  Hide Bridge to Basics volunteer details

• Volunteer interpreters help clients who can’t speak English get their taxes done. Show more detailsHide details

  Skills needed:

  • Knowledge of another language. We see clients that speak a wide range of languages but the most common are the following: Spanish, Amharic, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, and Tigrinya.
  • Friendliness. Completing a tax return can be complex and daunting! Volunteer Interpreters need to make sure the clients they are serving are comfortable and happy.

  Time commitment: three to four hours a week from January through April

  Training: We provide a brief training on the tax process.

  Hide volunteer interpreter details

Sign up to be notified when volunteer registration opens.

In 2013, 700 volunteers prepared 14,900 returns. This secured $22 million in refunds, including $7.7 million in Earned Income Tax Credits.

Questions? Check out our handy Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, email us at EITC@uwkc.org.