Why should I join VITA? 1. No one can stop you from changing the world (in your own little way). - As a high schooler, you are making big difference in the lives of adults and their families. You're getting them thousands of dollars back, which is an immense amount to the low-income families we serve. The stories you hear and people you meet are invaluable.
2. VITA/TCE Tax Certification from VITA (an IRS supported program) and the United Way. - This is an amazing skill to put on your resumé because how many high school students do you know are tax certified? It's definitely a resume-worthy experience.
3. A Different Experience from the Traditional Club - After a few months of training, you'll get to interact with real clients and get a taste of the real workplace. Also, being tax certified makes you more appealing for business internships and companies, who have a history of employing high schoolers with VITA certification. What other club does that?
4. Community Service - Looking to fulfill that 40 hour graduation requirement or that 200 hour community service log? We compensate your training hours and attendance on tax days with community service hours to help you reach there. These hours are accepted by NHS and Beta Club.
What is the training process? You must score an 80% or higher on the VITA certification test given in January. We will be training you thoroughly for this test and give you all the resources you'll need, so this is a no-stress zone. :) All of the books supplied to you can be used on the test. IT'S AN OPEN BOOK AND PARTNER TEST!
Materials Provided - Tax Slayer Online Training Software: practice problems similar to the test - Volunteer Resource Guide: a book of all the information you'll ever need to file a tax return - Test Questions and Retest Questions: questions very similar to the actual test and retest
In-Person Training - After School and Guided Study training meetings: for working through problems and answering questions about work - Group Study: studying in groups or pairs is recommended, the test can be taken in pairs or small groups -Easy schedule: study on your own time, flexible schedule fits well with the rigor of GSMST - Work at other VITA sites: optional opportunities to work before our site opens to gain experience
What if I don't want to do the tax preparation role? Are there other jobs I can do? Yes! We have several jobs for you if you do not want to do the Tax Preparer role, although we will need most volunteers to be Tax Preparers. Here is the full list of roles.
Tax Return Preparer (Basic or Advanced Training) - Assist families in completing tax returns, most common and needed role
Interpreter - Multilingual translators, this can be paired with another role
Greeter - Does not require full tax certification, greets clients and makes sure they have all documentation
Asset Development Specialist - Connects clients with other community assistance programs such as food shelters, clothing shelters, etc.
How often are the meetings? - Every Thursday from September to Feburary - Guided Study meetings once or twice a week in December to February in order to prepare for exam and tax days - The tax filing site will be open every Saturday from Feburary until April, and you can come to as many as you like - If you need extra help with the material or miss a meeting, let us know and we can coordinate a study meeting with you
How much work will this be outside of school? Outside of our 1 hour meeting every week, you'll need 10 minutes each week to do the practice problems. From February to April on tax days, you will sign up for 2-3 Saturdays to volunteer 4 hours at a time.