Sector: Economic Empowerment

Location: IRC Office, Denver, CO or Virtual

Start Date: Training Starts December 2024

Duration/Schedule: January-April 2025, 3-15 hours/week

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK: The IRC’s Program Quality and Innovation Unit assists offices which help newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progress to living wage jobs; learn basic financial management skills and build assets; start small businesses; and access Earned Income Tax Credit.

Under the supervision of the Tax Site Coordinator and Financial Coach, Volunteer Tax Preparers will provide free, professional tax preparation services for low-income clients through IRC’s National Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tax Preparation

• Complete all IRC and IRS mandated trainings by January 2023. Including the Volunteer Standards of Conduct

Training and Ethics; the Volunteer Standards of Conduct certification; and complete the Intake/Interview & Quality Review certification.

• Gain Basic certification to prepare taxes, however, gaining Advanced certification is preferred. To help prepare more complicated returns, certification is needed at the Circular 230, Advanced, Military, Health Savings Accounts, Puerto Rico, Foreign Student, or International tax law levels. Prepare only returns that are within your certification level(s) and within the scope of the VITA/TCE Programs

• Prepare and provide high-quality tax returns to all taxpayers. Interview taxpayers using Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet, to determine if all income, deductions, and allowable credits are claimed.

• Engage the taxpayer when preparing the tax return, to ensure understanding of the information on the intake sheet.

• Advise the taxpayer that he/she is ultimately responsible for the information on the return.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma required.

• No previous experience as a VITA volunteer required – IRC will provide the required training for the program per IRC’s and the IRS’s policies.

• Excellent customer service skills, including experience working with a diverse client base;

• Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail

• High level of computer literacy;

• High level of comfort and effectiveness in working with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams;

• Strong commitment to economic empowerment of low-income and underserved populations

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Position will require travel to IRC Denver office. Standard, professional office environment;

• Some evening and weekend work hours will be required;

• If working virtually, home internet and personal computer/laptop required.

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should complete their application online https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer, and attach a resume and cover letter.

This position reports to the Tax Site Coordinator and local Financial Capabilities Staff.

This is an unpaid volunteer position. No financial compensation, including compensation for relocation, is available.