Volunteer FAQ
Below you will find answers to many of our volunteers’ Frequently Asked Questions. If you don't find an answer to your question here, please contact DC EITC Campaign Volunteer Coordinator Adam Perry at volunteer@dceitc.org or call 202-419-1442.
DC EITC Campaign Information
Logistics
Skills and Qualifications
Training and Certification
I'm Ready, How do I sign up?
Complete the volunteer application form. It will take you 15-20 minutes. Please be prepared to tell us what days you are available to volunteer and where you would like to be placed.
Additional Questions
For additional questions, please contact Adam Perry, the DC EITC Campaign’s Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@dceitc.org or 202-419-1442.
DC EITC Campaign Information
Who manages the DC EITC Campaign?
Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) serves as the fiscal agent and manager of the DC EITC Campaign. CAAB provides operational oversight, manages relationships with dozens of community partners, recruits and manages volunteers, and coordinates the promotion of financial services at Campaign tax sites.
Community Tax Aid, Inc. (CTA) is the Campaign’s technical assistance and training partner. CTA develops and delivers tax law and tax software trainings, oversees tax site operations, and develops quality control procedures for the sites.
CAAB and CTA work closely with a number of other community partners who operate individual tax sites, coordinate marketing efforts, and support the Campaign in a variety of ways.
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What are the Campaign’s goals?
1) To promote awareness of the federal and DC Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other tax benefits to ensure that eligible residents know how to claim them.
2) To promote free and affordable tax preparation for DC residents.
3) To connect low-income taxpayers with programs and services to improve their financial stability.
Click Here for more information about the Campaign’s goals.
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How is the Campaign funded?
The DC EITC Campaign receives financial support from the Federal and District governments and several private foundations. The following organizations provided financial support in 2009:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Capital One
National Disability Institute
United Way-National Capital Area
Phillip L Graham Fund
Washington Area Women’s Foundation
IRS VITA Grant Program
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Who are the Campaign’s clients?
DC EITC Campaign tax sites serve DC-area individual taxpayers with incomes less than $22,000 and families with incomes less than $42,000. DC EITC Campaign clients come from all over the city and DC-metro area, speak a wide variety of languages, and have very diverse backgrounds.
In 2009, the average client’s adjusted gross income was $17,038, and 35.5% of filers claimed the EITC.
20% of the Campaign’s clients reported not having a bank account, and only 23% reported that they were able to save any money during the course of the year. Only 4% of clients reported that they were able to save regularly.
The EITC and other tax credits help low-income residents afford winter coats, pay utility bills, and possibly save for the future, but without emergency savings, many of these individuals are only one incident away from an economic crisis.
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What is the Campaign doing to promote long-term financial stability for its clients?
In addition to training volunteers to prepare and file tax returns, the Campaign trains volunteer Savings Promoters to help clients access other free financial resources, like CAAB’s Money Management 101 classes and credit counseling services. Savings Promoters may also provide information on low-cost checking accounts, savings accounts, and debit cards that can be opened on-site to facilitate direct deposit of refunds.
Other volunteers, known as Food Stamp Specialists, provide information about, and access to, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP- formerly the Food Stamps Program), a program that can dramatically increase clients' financial security. Click Here for more information about SNAP.
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Logistics
How much time will I have to commit?
New Tax Preparer volunteers must commit to one 3-4 hour shift per week during the 11-week tax season (January 30 through April 15). Savings Promoters are also encouraged to commit to one shift per week, but may volunteer a minimum of one shift every other week. Most shifts are during the day on Saturdays and in the evening on weekdays.
New Tax Preparer volunteers are also required to attend two training session in January for a total of 12 hours and take a certification test. Savings Promoter volunteers will attend a separate training, for a total of 4 hours.
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Where will I be volunteering?
Tax sites are located throughout the DC metropolitan area (including a few sites in Maryland and Northern Virginia). You can select your preferred volunteer shift after completing your volunteer registration, pending availability.
We will do our best to ensure that everyone who registers for a site is able to volunteer at their selected tax site. However, if, close to the start of tax season, our sites are not evenly staffed, we may ask some volunteers to switch to another one of their preferred sites.
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Is transportation provided?
Transportation is provided from the Metro at our East of the Anacostia River tax sites, which are further from downtown DC. Transportation will not be provided at other tax sites, though all other DC sites are Metro-accessible.
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Some of the sites are located in neighborhoods that I am not familiar with. How do I learn more about these neighborhoods and tax sites?
Volunteering in a neighborhood that you have never visited is a great way to get to know a new community and a new part of the city.
All of the tax sites will hold orientations before the official start of the tax season to help volunteers familiarize themselves with the site, partner organization, and neighborhood.
Tax site staff will also arrange transportation from the Metro at our East of the Anacostia River tax sites, which are further from downtown DC.
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What do I need to do before tax season?
See our Volunteer Training page for specific instructions, including training requirements, based on volunteer position and years of experience.
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Skills and Qualifications
What kinds of skills do I need to be a tax volunteer? Do I need a financial background?
If you have prepared your own tax return, prepared returns for others, or have worked extensively with numbers, you are qualified to be a tax preparer. All preparers will be trained by the Campaign and certified by the IRS.
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What if I'm not interested in preparing taxes, is there another way I can be a part of the DC EITC Campaign?
Absolutely! We need people to fill other positions as well, including:
- Savings Promoter / Intake Specialists: All of our DC-based sites will need Savings Promoters to provide information about financial resources and services to tax clients. Some financial knowledge is helpful, but not necessary, and good communication skills are essential.
- Interpreters: In addition to tax preparers, we need people proficient in Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien to provide interpretation. You need to be fluent one of these languages, but do not need a special knowledge of financial terms.
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Training and Certification
Are there requirements to become a volunteer tax preparer?
Yes, all volunteers must attend training in January, and all tax preparers must pass the IRS certification test (either online or at a Proctored Certification Session).
New volunteers MUST certify in person- exam proctors will be available during the all in-person certification sessions to answer questions.
Please Note: We strongly recommend that volunteers take the IRS certification exam within one week of completing training.
Savings Promoter volunteers will need to attend a separate training session in January.
See our Volunteer Training page for specific training requirements.
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I already know how to do taxes. Do I need to come to training?
Yes. Our training focuses specifically on our clients’ needs, and will introduce you to our tax site practices. Previous tax preparation experience is extremely helpful, but will generally not fully prepare you to volunteer at one of our sites.
If you have extensive experience working with low-income clients, or have volunteered at another VITA program and do not want to attend first-year training, you can contact Adam Perry (volunteer@dceitc.org) to request to be exempted from that training.
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How much training will I have to go through?
After completing the trainings outlined below, all tax preparation volunteers must take an IRS certification test (1-4 hours for Basic level exam).
New volunteer tax preparers are required to attend one 8-hour session covering Basic Tax Preparation, as well as one 4-hour Basic TaxWise computer training on the use of TaxWise software.
2nd year volunteers may take Basic Tax Prep and a 4-hour Intermediate Tax Topics computer class. Alternatively, returning volunteers with one year of experience may take the first-year training again.
Volunteers with 2+ years of experience must take a 4-hour Refresher Topics lecture, followed by a 4-hour “TaxWise for Experienced Preparers” computer class, which will include the Intermediate and/or Advanced certification test(s).
Additional trainings may be available on Pensions and Advanced Topics, Working with Immigrant Taxpayers, and Self-Employment.
Click Here for a full description of training requirements.
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How do I sign up for training and when will it take place?
Tax training registration is through the Campaign’s volunteer website (http://dceitc.volunteerhub.com), and trainings will occur throughout January.
Please see our Volunteer Training page for specific training requirements and a calendar of available trainings.
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How will I get certified by the IRS?
Volunteers are eligible to be certified after they have completed the prerequisite training listed above. All volunteers must take the certification test during a Proctored Certification Session or through the IRS Link & Learn website. Certifying in-person is required for new volunteers.
Additionally, all Tax Preparers should plan to certify before January 28th, two days before the Campaign’s tax sites open. Tax Preparers will not be allowed to volunteer until their certification test is completed and Volunteer Agreement has been submitted.
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How does in-person certification work?
When you take your test during a certification session or training class, a proctor will be available to answer questions and score your test. The Basic Certification Test takes between 1 and 4 hours, depending on the volunteer. You may also take the Intermediate and/or Advanced Certification Tests, which build on the Basic test and take an additional 1 to 3 hours (combined), depending on the volunteer.
You will need to score 80% or higher on a particular test to be certified at that level. When you pass, you will receive your Volunteer Agreement with your completed certification score.
Finally, do not forget to submit your signed Volunteer Agreement, with your score included, to Adam Perry (volunteer@dceitc.org), or by fax to (202) 521-3988.
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How does online certification work?
Online certification is available for returning volunteers through Link & Learn. You will have two chances to pass your test, so be sure to take your time and answer questions carefully. The Basic Certification Test takes between 1 and 4 hours, depending on the volunteer. You can take the test in one sitting, or save your answers and come back at a later time.
You will need to score 80% or higher on a particular test to be certified at that level. When you pass, you will need to print your Volunteer Agreement (with the certification score filled in) by clicking “Click here to open and complete your Volunteer Agreement” at the top right of your screen.
Finally, do not forget to submit your signed Volunteer Agreement, with your score included, to Adam Perry (volunteer@dceitc.org), or by fax to (202) 521-3988.
See our Detailed Certification Instructions for more information.
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What if I fail the online certification test?
Contact Adam Perry (volunteer@dceitc.org) for other options.
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What should I bring to my training classes and Proctored Certification Session?
We will provide training materials, but you should bring notepaper, a pen or pencil, and a calculator.
For all-day sessions, you will need to bring a lunch. For the Certification Session, you will need to bring the IRS materials you received at your training session.
Please note that some of our training classes may take place in secure buildings with controlled access; please be sure to bring a picture ID with you so you can be admitted to the class.
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