Tax Preparer Volunteer, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

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Volunteer as a Tax Preparer, Intake Coordinator, or Spanish Interpreter to help run a 100% FREE tax filing service powered by Sonoma CAN and United Way of the Wine Country.

Volunteer shifts available at Sonoma CAN will be on Tuesday & Wednesday evenings from 4:30pm-7pm from early February to mid April.

Make a positive impact on the lives of local low-to-moderate income earning families and individuals. Help us maximize their state and federal tax refunds!

The positions will be based primarily at Sonoma CAN's Northpoint office (located at 2250 North Point Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA) with prior training done by United Way at an offsite location. Volunteers must attend training session(s) for whatever volunteer role they wish to fulfill. Please see more details on the training sessions below.

Responsibilities include:

Works closely with Sonoma CAN, United Way staff and Sonoma CAN site coordinator.

Assists in collecting required information from individuals receiving tax assistance.

Maintains accurate documentation and record information on relevant forms.

Maintains confidentiality when exposed to sensitive client information.

Requirements:

Bilingual speakers are strongly preferred, but you are not required to be bilingual. No prior tax preparation experience required. Volunteers are required to complete the following before starting this position:

1.Submit a finished volunteer application via Sonoma CAN website.

3. Submit background check for Sonoma CAN.

4. Attend and complete United Way Tax Law Training.

Returning Volunteer: 1-Day Refresher Training Series:

This year, we are offering an in-class Refresher Training for returning volunteers who volunteered last tax season. Trainers will go over State and Federal tax law and credit changes, as well as TaxSlayer software updates. If you skipped a season, please consider yourself a "new" volunteer.

Saturday, January 18, 2025, 2pm-4pm at North Coast Builders Exchange (1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)

New Volunteer: 3-Day Training Series: Attendance of all three sessions is required.

New Volunteers have the choice to train in several ways. For Tax Preparers, in-class trainers will deliver an introduction to tax law and TaxSlayer software to prepare and help certify volunteers at the advanced level for the tax season. (If attending all three sessions is problematic, please contact us to assist you with catching up). Coffee and donuts will be provided.

Session 1: Saturday, January 11, 2025, 9am-1pm at North Coast Builders Exchange (1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)

Session 2: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 9am-1pm at North Coast Builders Exchange (1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)

Session 3: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9am-1pm at North Coast Builders Exchange (1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407)

Time Commitment:

The program requires a minimum of 20 hrs of volunteer time during the February-April 2025 tax season. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesdays from 4:30pm-7pm from early February to mid April.

Sonoma Community Action Network (Sonoma CAN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that creates pathways for economic security that lasts from generation to generation. Sonoma CAN changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes Sonoma County a better place to live.

Thank you for you interest in volunteering with Sonoma CAN!