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Kalamazoo
Welcome!
Are you passionate about helping others and looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is calling for dedicated volunteers like you to join our mission in making a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families across five counties in Michigan.
In Addition to Kalamazoo, United Way's VITA Shared Services Program Also Provides Free Tax Preparation in:
📌Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee, and Kalamazoo
Why VITA?
VITA provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with limited income, helping them access valuable tax credits and refunds that can make a real difference in their lives. By volunteering with VITA, you can:
🔷 Empower Communities: Your assistance ensures that hardworking individuals and families receive the financial support they deserve, helping them thrive.
🔷 Learn Valuable Skills: Gain expertise in tax preparation, financial literacy, and customer service, enhancing your own skills and knowledge.
🔷 Build Connections: Be part of a diverse and supportive team of volunteers who share your passion for making a difference.
🔷 Make a Lasting Impact: Your efforts directly contribute to the economic stability and well-being of those in need.
How Can You Get Involved?
Greeters: Help create a welcoming and organized environment for clients, ensuring their experience is smooth and efficient.
Intake Specialists: Help clients to fill out intake forms, while gathering the appropriate tax documents from clients.
Tax Preparers: Receive training and certification to assist clients with tax preparation. No prior experience is required, and training is provided.
Site Coordinators: Oversee the tax site to ensure a smooth operation while also ensuring compliance with all IRS and VITA program guidelines.
Ready to Volunteer?
Join us in making a difference! To become a VITA volunteer, simply complete the online volunteer application.
Thank you for considering becoming a VITA volunteer! Your commitment to helping others with their taxes can change lives and strengthen our communities. Together, we can make a significant impact on the financial well-being of individuals and families across Michigan's five counties.
Mission Statement
We bring together the people, ideas and resources to lead with our communities and create a flourishing, equitable life for everyone.​
VITA Volunteer Opportunities
Greeter
Purpose
Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of $67,000 a year or less. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible, with the goal being to help more individuals and families achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation services.
Volunteer Responsibilities
VITA Greeters create an organized and pleasant environment in preparation centers. The position requires organization, professional interactions with other volunteers and clients, and the application of high ethical standards and adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Additional responsibilities include:
• Complete all IRS training and certification requirements
• Provide taxpayers with intake forms.
• Ensure the taxpayer has brought photo ID and social security cards.
• Refer taxpayers to Tax Preparers or Site Coordinators for tax questions.
• Ensure compliance with all IRS and VITA program guidelines
Staff Liaison
VITA Program Associate & VITA Program Site Coordinator
Training
Greeter orientation and training will occur in mid-November- January (approx. 2 hours total) followed by the completion of the online certification for Volunteer Standards of Conduct (approx. 20 minutes total).
Length of Commitment
Volunteer opportunities will begin late January through the tax season deadline in April. Volunteers are expected to commit to one four-hour shift over the course of the tax, there is a good amount of flexibility on when volunteers serve. Volunteers will select shifts based on their availability using the online scheduling system.
Preferred Experience and/or Skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
Benefits
• Gain a valuable and marketable skill set
• Make new friends and build your professional network! This is a great opportunity to meet other people in our community who are dedicated to helping others
• Satisfaction of knowing that you had a direct impact on our community
• Build your resume by learning soft skills, working with clients and serving the community
• United Way may provide letters of recommendation for your service
Intake Specialist
Purpose
Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of approximately $67,000 a year or less. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible, with the goal being to help more individuals and families achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation services.
Volunteer Responsibilities
VITA Intake Specialists receive tax information from clients to be completed by volunteer preparers. The position requires organization, professional interactions with other volunteers and clients, and the application of high ethical standards and adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Additional responsibilities include:
• Complete all IRS training and certification requirements
• Review intake forms with the taxpayers and answer process related questions.
• Verify taxpayer identity and collect documents and information needed to complete the return.
• Determine if the return is within the scope of the VITA program.
• Manage the flow of taxpayers according to site operational procedures.
• Maintain communication with the Site Coordinator
• Ensure compliance with all IRS and VITA program guidelines
Staff Liaison
VITA Program Associate & VITA Program Site Coordinator
Training
Intake specialist orientation and training will occur in mid-November- January (approx. 4-5 hours total) followed by the completion of the certification exams to completed independently (approx. 30 minutes total). The online certification exam is online, untimed, and open book to allow volunteers to become familiar with the tax preparation software, using available resources, and practicing real life scenarios.
Length of Commitment
Volunteer opportunities will begin late January through the tax season deadline in April. Volunteers are expected to commit to 20 hours over the course of the tax season (typically one four-hour shift per week), there is a good amount of flexibility on when volunteers serve. Volunteers will select shifts based on their availability using the online scheduling system. Additional optional volunteer opportunities are available May through September.
Preferred Experience and/or Skills
• Strong computer skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
Benefits
• Gain a valuable and marketable skill set
• Make new friends and build your professional network! This is a great opportunity to meet other people in our community who are dedicated to helping others
• Satisfaction of knowing that you had a direct impact on our community
• Build your resume by learning soft skills, working with clients and serving the community
• United Way may provide letters of recommendation for your service
Tax Preparer
Purpose
Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of $67,000 a year or less. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible, with the goal being to help more individuals and families achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation services.
Volunteer Responsibilities
VITA Tax Preparers prepare tax returns for taxpayers, answering taxpayers’ questions and maintaining confidentiality. The position requires the use of computer equipment and software, professional interactions with other volunteers and key stakeholders, and the application of high ethical standards and adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and guidelines. Tasks include:
• Complete all IRS training and certification requirements
• Pass the required IRS certification exam (either Basic or Advanced)
• Maintain communication with the Site Coordinator
• Be on-site during your allocated work time
• Ensure compliance with all IRS and VITA program guidelines
Staff Liaison
VITA Program Associate & VITA Program Site Coordinator
Training
Tax preparer orientation and training will occur from mid-November- January (approx. 12-15 hours total) followed by the completion of the certification exams to be completed independently (approx. 2-3 hours total). The certification exam is online, untimed, open book, and instructor guidance is available to allow volunteers to become familiar with the tax preparation software, using available resources, and practicing real life scenarios.
Length of Commitment
Volunteer opportunities will begin late January/ early February through the tax season deadline in April. Volunteers are expected to commit to 40 hours over the course of the tax season (typically one four-hour shift per week), there is a good amount of flexibility on when volunteers serve. Volunteers will select shifts based on their availability using the online scheduling system. Additional optional volunteer opportunities are available May through September.
Preferred Experience and/or Skills
• Interest in learning more about income tax law
• Strong computer skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and management skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Strong communication skills
Benefits
• Gain a valuable and marketable skill set
• Make new friends and build your professional network! This is a great opportunity to meet other people in our community who are dedicated to helping others
• Satisfaction of knowing that you had a direct impact on our community
• Build your resume by learning soft skills, working with clients and serving the community
• Learn how to prepare your own tax return(s)
• United Way may provide letters of recommendation for your service
Site Coordinator
Purpose
Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of approximately $67,000 a year or less. In addition to providing free tax preparation, VITA works to ensure everyone in the community receives all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible, with the goal being to help more individuals and families achieve greater financial stability through free tax preparation services.
Volunteer Responsibilities
The VITA Site Coordinator manages all aspects of the site operations to ensure fair and high-quality service to clients; appropriate application of tax law when preparing federal and state income tax returns, and compliance with IRS privacy and confidentiality agreements when administrating electronic tax returns. The position requires the use of computer equipment and software, professional management, and interactions with a small group of volunteers and key stakeholders, and the application of high ethical standards and adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Tasks include:
• Manages small group of volunteers to work at site
• Set up and operate laptop computers and printers and address related IT challenges
• Conduct intake interviews with clients as needed
• Prepare state and federal tax returns as needed
• Conduct quality reviews of tax returns as needed
• Submit returns electronically at the close of each site day
• Serve as primary point of contact for clients and volunteers to address questions and concerns
• Resolve minor situations that arise in the daily operations exhibiting the judgment to refer more difficult or sensitive concerns to VITA Associate.
• Maintain relationship and communication with VITA Associate for obtaining site materials and other pertinent information.
• Coordinate client appointments and walk-ins, ensuring an efficient flow of clients through the site.
• Ensure compliance with all IRS and VITA program guidelines
Staff Liaison
VITA Program Associate
Training
Orientation and training will begin in mid-November- January (approx.15-20 hours total) followed by the completion of the certification exams to completed independently (approx. 2-3 hours total).
Length of Commitment
Volunteer opportunities will begin late January through the tax season deadline in April. Volunteers are expected to commit to 50 hours over the course of the tax season (typically one shift per week), there is a good amount of flexibility on when volunteers serve. Volunteers will select shifts based on their availability using the online scheduling system.
Required Experience and/or Skills
• Interest in learning more about income tax law
• Strong computer skills, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well with diverse populations
• Strong communication skills
• Pass an IRS certification exam at the Advanced Level with Site Coordinator Certification
• Previous VITA program experience preferred
Benefits
• Gain a valuable and marketable skill set
• Make new friends and build your professional network! This is a great opportunity to meet other people in our community who are dedicated to helping others.
• Satisfaction of knowing that you had a direct impact on our community
• Build your resume by gaining management experience, working with clients, and serving the community
• Learn how to prepare your own tax return(s)
• United Way may provide letters of recommendation for your service
