Tax season coming up

WHAT ARE VITA SITES?

At Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, certified volunteers are trained to prepare basic federal and state tax returns for free and help qualifying low- and moderate-income New Yorkers claim credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and New York City Child Care Tax Credit. These VITAs not only offer free tax preparation services but they ensure that low-income tax filers are not marketed unnecessary predatory products or loans and make sure that filers maximize the value of their returns.

WHY VOLUNTEER FOR OFE AT A VITA SITE?

Make a difference in the lives of low-income New Yorkers while networking and gaining marketable job skills.

WHY IS TAX TIME SO IMPORTANT AND WHO DO VOLUNTEERS HELP?

Low-income families that receive a tax refund can get as much as $6,512. This lump sum is often the largest check they will receive all year. Additionally, VITA sites help to connect low-income filers to a variety of financial services in their community by facilitating ideas for savings programs, offering start up bank accounts and providing counseling.

WHO CAN VOLUNTEER TO BE A TAX PREPARER?

Anyone can volunteer to work at a VITA site once they have completed training, including an IRS-certified online training and exam; and a day-long classroom session at OFE’s Tax Time Training University.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT? WHERE ARE THE VITA SITES LOCATED? The 2010 tax season is from January through April. OFE asks volunteers to commit at least 4 hours weekly, for a minimum of 6 weeks during the tax season. VITA sites are usually located throughout the five boroughs of New York City, especially in neighborhoods with very few tax preparation options.

REQUIREMENTS:

Complete IRS-certified online training – between 12-14 hours. Pass an online IRS-certification exam. Attend a classroom training session at OFE’s Training University.

TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ofe/html/about/volunteer.shtml