Certifying to become a volunteer tax preparer takes time and dedication. While the trainings may be over, you can ask for guidance at any time.
Resources:
- Pub 6744- This is the publication containing the exams that you must take as a volunteer to help prepare taxes. It is available online and you may request print copies of the exam to pick up at the United Way office in Brownsville. Exams are open book.
- Pub 4012- This is the publication containing the tax law and guidance on how to use the software. Use this to help answer your exams.
Exams:
- Volunteer Standard of Conduct (10 questions)- There are 6 volunteer standards of conduct that all volunteers must adhere to. You can refer to PUB 6744 (on the back of the cover page or page 2).
- Intake/Interview and Quality Review (10 questions) - This is in reference to the intake sheet that all clients must fill out without any exception. You can see the form here. This form will ask the client about all their information and any tax forms that are bringing with them. Any dark area must be filled out by the tax preparer volunteer. For example, on page 2, the left side is white, hence the client fills that out, while the right side is dark grey. The volunteer will confirm the information with the client from the left side and make any notes on the dark grey area. Refer to this publication for training.
- Basic Certification- There are two certification levels- Basic and Advance. Basic certification deals with basic tax forms such as W-2, 1099-INTEREST, 1098-T (college expenses), 1098-E (Student Loan Interest), 1099 SSA (Social security benefits), among other forms.
- Advance Certification- This certification level includes the Basic level and will also deal more with self-employment and contract workers such as UBER, LYFT, DOORDASH, etc. Note: If you certify at the Advance Level, you can skip taking the Basic Exam.
- Study Guides: These study guides will be essential in telling you where to look for the answer. You have two chances to take each exam. I recommend you send your answers for feedback. Email leslie.nunez@unitedwayrgv.org to request the study guides and to get feedback on answers.
- Practice Lab: The practice lab is essentially the software that we use to prepare taxes. However, here you will practice how to enter the tax forms, basic information etc. You will need to create an account. Email leslie.nunez@unitedwayrgv.org for the PASSWORD that is being requested to access the Practice Lab.
- LinkLearn: Here you will enter the answers to your exams. A reminder that the exams are open book. You can exit and resume your exam at a later time. Create an account by clicking on the top right corner.
Fill the availability form here: https://bit.ly/availabilityvita
Site hours are as follow:
January 19th - April 23rd
- Monday: 9 am - 4 pm
- Tuesday: 9 am - 7 pm
- Wednesday: 9 am - 7 pm
- Thursday: 9 am - 4 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 4 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm - 3 pm
Shift Duration: 4hours
Positions: 10
