Volunteer with SFCASA’s VITA site!

 
 

What is VITA?

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is administered by the IRS to provide free tax preparation to eligible taxpayers. State and Federal returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers, who undergo training and are required to pass an IRS exam. SF CASA’s VITA site exclusively serves the foster youth population.

What we do

SFCASA’s VITA site exists to help current/former foster youth prepare and file their tax return(s) for FREE! Yes, for FREE!

With the help of incredible IRS Certified volunteers, we help youth understand and navigate the tax system. SFCASA’s VITA site does not just prepare and file, we also strive to educate filers about their rights, tax compliance/laws, and other tax related topics.

Anyone with the time, willingness, and passion for advancing economic mobility and financial literacy is welcome to join us!

Please scroll for more details on how YOU can become an IRS Certified VITA volunteer!

 
 

Interested in volunteering? Scroll down for more information!

Ways to Volunteer

Client Intake

What will I do?

Volunteers get to speak with clients and prepare them for their tax preparation appointment! During the client intake process, volunteers will:

1. Gather client information + help them fill out the intake form (IRS Form 13614-C)

2. Collect taxpayer’s tax documents (ID, SSN, W-2s, etc.)

3. Schedule a tax preparation appointment for clients

4. Answer clients’ questions

Certifications required to complete client intakes:

  1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct

  2. Intake/Interview and Quality Review

Tax Preparation

What will I do?

Volunteers will engage in preparing the client’s tax return. During the tax preparation process, volunteers will:

1. Use the intake form to enter clients’ information into TaxSlayer

2. Enter tax forms & ensure clients NOT FINISHED

3. Schedule a quality review appointment for clients

4. Answer clients’ questions about their tax return

certifications required to be a tax preparer:

  1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct

  2. Intake/Interview and Quality Review

  3. Basic OR Advanced Preparer Certification

Quality Review

What will I do?

Volunteers will review tax returns completed by their team to ensure accuracy. During the QR process, volunteers will:

1. Use the intake form and review the tax return(s) to ensure data was inputted correctly

2. Ask clients to verify the information they are entering

3. Update any missing/incorrect information on the tax returns

4. Answer clients’ questions about their tax return

certifications required to do QR:

  1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct

  2. Intake/Interview and Quality Review

  3. Advanced Preparer Certification ONLY

 

Site Information

 

Location: In-person and/or Zoom

When: Monday- Saturday from February-April 2025

★ Volunteers can select their own schedule/hours

★ Volunteers will be able to prepare/QR for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021

Application opens on September 3, 2024!

No Experience required!

 

Volunteer Timeline

#1—Application

Please fill out this interest form/application. Someone from our team will follow up with more information.

#2—Complete trainings

New volunteers MUST undergo IRS training to obtain their certifications. Trainings will be offered in-person & remotely in December/January. Self-paced trainings will also be available.

#3—Examination

All volunteers must pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview exams. Preparers/reviewers MUST take the Basic/Advanced exam. Volunteers MUST submit their IRS certifications before volunteering.

#4—Volunteer

Get pumped and start volunteering after getting IRS certified! SFCASA’s VITA site will operate from February to April 2025. Volunteers have the option of staying until the end of June 2025.

 

Not seeing an answer to a question you have? We got you covered! Please email FYTaxHelp@sfcasa.org or anna@sfcasa.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Certification:

  • Yes, all VITA volunteers MUST be IRS certified yearly.

    However, depending on what position you volunteer in, you might not need to take all 3 exams.

  • All of the exams are open book and untimed.

    Both the Volunteer Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview/QR exams are composed of 10 questions. It usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

    The Basic and Advanced preparer exams have 35 questions. You do NOT have to take both but each can take up to 4 hours.

  • You must receive at least an 80% or higher on EACH exam.

    You have 2 attempts to pass each exam.

 
 

Volunteering:

  • NO! :)

    Although any prior experience is a plus, it is not a requirement. You will gain hands-on experience with us!

  • Yes!

    Here are some ways you can combine them:

    1) Intaker, preparer, and quality reviewer

    2) Preparer and quality reviewer

    3) Intaker and quality reviewer

    4) Intaker and preparer

  • There is no official time commitment.

    However, we do ask that you have a consistent set schedule once the tax season begins!

  • That is a-okay!

  • You will be assisting current and former foster youth in California!

SFCASA’s VITA Site:

  • The site officially opens on February 1, 2025.

    The site will close on April 15, 2025.

  • No!

    If you are a current or soon-to-be CASA, you are not expected to also volunteer with our VITA site.

    However, we would be more than happy if you are interested.

    CASAs who work with youth 16+ are highly encouraged to join our tax project!