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:

 

• Conduct a quality review on all returns, using the Quality Review Checklist found in Publication 4012. Using the completed Form 13614-C and source documents, ensure all these items are consistent with the entries on the tax return.

• Advise the taxpayer that he/she is ultimately responsible for the information on the return before asking the taxpayer to sign Form 8879 or the tax return. Explain to the taxpayer that signing the return certifies that the taxpayer has examined the return, including all the forms and schedules for accuracy, and they are signing the return under penalty of perjury.

• Provide feedback to volunteer preparers explaining identified errors captured during quality review and instructions for making the necessary corrections.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The volunteer will learn how to effectively coordinate VITA program

2. The volunteer will learn about providing financial services to community members.

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.