Volunteer
Also Available on this Page: Volunteer Recruitment Brochures |
The Money In Your Pocket Coalition’s success is due in large part to a corps of
committed volunteers who step forward each year to give their time and energy to assist our neighbors. Join Us! We need you.
YOUR TIME IS MONEY – or freedom from debt, or the comfort of owning a home, or the dream of continued education, or the satisfaction of providing for your children. Your gift of time can be life changing for families in your community. There are three volunteer opportunities:
- Tax Preparation Volunteer – Tax Season
- Tax Preparation Volunteer – Tax/FAFSA - Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Asset Building Coaches – ABC’s
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The Pittsburgh VITA Volunteers 
Become a Tax Preparation Volunteer for the Tax Season – prepare federal, state and local taxes for low to moderate income workers at one of our partner sites. In many cases you will assist taxpayers to access the EITC, Child Tax Credit and other benefits. And you will be better prepared to complete your own taxes!
Tax Preparation Volunteers for VITA sites:
- Are friendly, dependable, have basic computer skills, great communication skills and are willing to learn tax law.
- Commit to volunteering three (3) or more hours per week from mid-January to mid-April
- Have basic computer skills
- Complete training (provided)
- New Volunteers complete 16 hours of training
- Returning volunteers – complete a three (3) hour refresher training
- Pass the IRS certification test
Become a Tax Preparation Volunteer for Pittsburgh Public Schools Tax / FAFSA Workshops in February
In February, the United Way, The Pittsburgh Promise, and NEED are joining forces to provide free personal income tax and student financial aid assistance to parents of juniors and seniors in the Pittsburgh Public School District.
We are piloting this initiative as an opportunity to help low-to-moderate income students and families in our community realize their college dreams, get “Promise Ready”, access benefits such as the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, and avoid “fast money” loans.
Events will be held each Saturday in February at alternating public school sites. The volunteer time commitment is two days and a total of 10 hours.
Pittsburgh Public Schools Tax/FAFSA Preparation Volunteers will:
- Receive approximately five hours of The Benefit Bank® software training (which covers tax law and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Make a commitment to attend at least one five-hour event
If you have experience preparing your own tax return, are comfortable with computers, and enjoy helping others, we need you! Volunteers are also needed to assist with check-in and administrative functions.
Become an Asset Building Coach Volunteer serve at our free tax preparation sites to encourage savings, provide information and referral when appropriate and to open debit card accounts for interested taxpayers.
Asset Building Coaches
- Are dependable, comfortable talking about personal finances, able to communicate effectively with a diverse population, patient, flexible and resourceful.
- Commit to volunteering three (3) or more hours per week from mid- January to mid- April
- Complete three (3) hours of training
Volunteer Recruitment Brochures
- Tax Preparation Volunteer – Tax Season
- Asset Building Coach Volunteer – coming soon!
It’s easy to apply, choose your application:
- Tax Preparation Volunteer for Tax Season (VITA Sites) Application (first time volunteers)
- Returning Tax Preparation Volunteer for Tax Season (VITA Sites) Application
- Tax / FAFSA Preparation Volunteer for Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Asset Building Coach Volunteer Application
New Tax Preparation Volunteers for Tax Season – must complete 16 hours of training and pass the IRS certification test. All volunteers must attend one of the two day sessions below:
- January 9 & 10 – 9 am to 5 pm
- January 23 & 24 – 9 am to 5 pm
Trainings cover federal, state and local tax law as well as instruction and practice using TaxWise software. Volunteers have the opportunity to complete the IRS certification test during day two of training. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments are provided.
Pre-registration is required. Register by completing your Volunteer Application. Please contact eitc@uwac.org or call 412.456.6785 if you require information or assistance. You will receive a confirmation email prior to your selected training date.
PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited for all trainings. Please register early to insure that you receive your first choice of trainings.
Returning Tax Preparation Volunteers for Tax Season – must complete one Refresher Course and are invited to use the Open Computer Labs for supported review and completion of the IRS certification test. The Intermediate Course is available for volunteers who wish to increase their tax knowledge and have enhanced ability to assist taxpayers at our sites.
Refresher Course – Training will cover tax law changes, review important tax issues and set up passwords for using TaxWise through Link & Learn.
- December 15, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
- January 9, 9 am – 11:30 am
- January 23, 9 am – 11:30 am
Open Computer Labs – Staff will be available to provide support to volunteers as they review and practice on TaxWise. Returning volunteers are encouraged to complete their certification test at the Open Lab after attending a Refresher Course.
- January 9, 9 am – 4 pm
- January 23, 9 am – 4 pm
Intermediate Level Course – This course, presented by IRS SPEC staff will offer information necessary to pass the IRS Intermediate Level Test. Completion of the Refresher Course is a prerequisite for attending the Intermediate Level Course.
- January 9, from 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Pre-registration is required for the Refresher Course and Intermediate Level Course. Register by completing your Returning Volunteer Application. Please contact eitc@uwac.org or call 412.456.6785 if you require information or assistance. You will receive a confirmation email prior to your selected training date.
Tax Preparation Volunteers for Pittsburgh Public Schools Tax / FAFSA Workshops in February – Must complete five hours of training. All volunteers must attend one of the two sessions below:
- Friday, January 29 - 3 pm - 8 pm
- Saturday, January 30 - 9 am - 2 pm
Trainings cover Federal, State and Local tax laws, the FAFSA application, and instruction and practice on how to use The Benefit Bank® software. Refreshments are provided.
Pre-registration is required. Register by completing your volunteer application. Please contact eitc@uwac.org or call 412-456-6701 if you require information or assistance. You will receive a confirmation email prior to your selected training date.
Please note - Space is limited for both trainings. Please register early to ensure that you receive your first choice of training date.
Asset Building Coach Volunteers (ABC’s) – This training will offer information on the available services, public benefits and programs that are available for many of our tax clients. ABC’s will also learn about the low cost debit card that is available for all of our tax clients, including those who are not able to have traditional banking accounts. This debit card will allow more of our tax clients to access their tax refund more quickly through direct deposit and offers a way for those without bank accounts to avoid costly check cashing fees.
Choose one training session:
- January 10, 2010 – 9 am – 12 pm
- January 10, 2010 – 1 pm – 4 pm
Pre-registration is required. Register by completing your ABC Application. Please contact eitc@uwac.org or call 412.456.6785 if you require information or assistance. You will receive a confirmation email prior to your selected training date.
Link and Learn – Volunteers can practice on Link and Learn, the IRS e-learning course website http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/