Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)

Volunteers Needed Now!

United Way is in need of volunteers with financial or accounting backgrounds to work directly with hard-working low income families to assist them with free tax assistance and help those eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits.

Volunteer Training, Testing and Certification

• Training is free and provided by an IRS Specialist. Classroom, on-line learning and self-study or a combination of these options are designed to educate and prepare the volunteer for the tax season.
• All volunteer tests are open book. All reference and resource materials may be used to complete the test. Volunteers are asked to complete the test on their own.
• Training will begin in November and continue through January 2010.
• Basic, intermediate and advanced level training will be provided including Tax Wise software training.
  1. Basic Level Training - The time requirement for completing the basic level tax preparation course is twelve to fifteen hours. This includes hands on training with Tax Wise Software. Training is free and provided by an IRS Specialist. Classroom, on-line learning and self-study or a combination of these options are designed to educate and prepare the volunteer for the tax season. Upon completion of the course the volunteer will take a test to become a certificed tax preparer.
  2. Intermediate/Advanced Level Training - The intermediate/advanced level training is a continuation of the basic level course and goes into more detail about additional deductions and multiple income sources. Completing this training is an additional four to five hours. This course will certify the completion of the full scope of returns prepared by the volunteer tax return preparation process.

Desired Qualifications

• Desire to help low income families
• Ability to successfully meet and deal with people from different backgrounds and circumstances.
• Pride in performing tasks completely and accurately.
• Commitment and willingness to spend a minimum of four hours per volunteer day on VITA program during tax season.
• Ability to successfully complete IRS tax law and e-file training and certification program.
• Bilingual volunteers needed.

In addition to preparing tax returns, volunteers are needed as screeners and Spanish interpreters.

Click on the volunteer button below to download a copy of the volunteer form. Please make note of the submittal instructions on the bottom of the form.

For additional information please contact:

Amy Paulishak
Community Impact Manager
United Way of Sarasota County, Inc.
1445 2nd Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941-366-2686 ext. 316
Fax: 941-365-4368
Email: amyp@uwsrq.com