CAAS
Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc.
66-70 Union Square, Suite 104
Somerville, MA 02143
People Achieving More
By Working Together
Phone 617 623 7370
Voice mail 617 623 1392
Fax 617 628 2512
BECOME A VITA VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name:
Glenna Wyman
Title:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site Coordinator
Address:
Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc. (CAAS)
66-70 Union Square, Suite 104,
Union Square in Somerville, MA 02143
Phone:
617-623-1392, x. 157
Fax:
617-628-2512
Email:
gwyman@caasomerville.org
Website:
www.caasomerville.org
LOCATION
66-70 Union Square (former police station) in Somerville, MA 02143. Accessible by MBTA Orange
Line to Sullivan Station (Charlestown), then bus CT2, 86, or 91 to Union Square; also by Green Line to
Lechmere Station, then bus 87.
VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION
CAAS seeks volunteer tax preparers to help low-income households prepare simple federal and state
income tax returns for FREE, using an-online tax preparation software. The program seeks to ensure that
low-income people receive tax credits for which they are entitled and offers an alternative to costly
services that encourage filers to take out high-interest loans against anticipated refunds. Volunteer
preparers provide the assistance in accordance with IRS guidelines and applicable CAAS policies.
VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER RESPONSIBILITIES







Become IRS-Certified in tax preparation by completing the on-line “Link & Learn” course.
Course may be accessed from IRS website www.irs.gov (type “Link and Learn Taxes” in search
box). Volunteers must complete at least the Basic skill level and pass certification test (next
level of Intermediate skill certification is desirable). Total time to complete training for the first
time is about 20 hours. Test takes about 1-2 hours to complete.
Print Basic and Intermediate (if applicable) test certificates with score and give to CAAS VITA
Coordinator.
Complete on-line Volunteer Agreement Form, and print copy for CAAS Site Coordinator. Submit
completed form electronically to the IRS.
Participate in a volunteer orientation at CAAS that includes training on using the tax preparation
software (estimated 4 hours).
Provide high quality tax assistance to all clients. Answer tax-related questions and directly
prepare clients’ returns based on information provided by clients.
Interview client to determine that all income, deductions and allowable credits are claimed.
Prepare only those tax returns for which training and certification were provided.
Paul DiPasquale
Board President
Donna Cabral
Head Start Director
Jeffrey Karon
Finance Director
Kimberly Smith-Cofield
Executive Director
Dennis Fischman
Planning Director
Melissa McWhinney
Advocacy Director





Refer low-income clients with complex returns to the IRS web site or help number, to other
VITA sites with volunteers trained in complex returns, or to legal services where appropriate.
Complete quality reviews of returns completed by fellow volunteer tax preparers.
Maintain confidentiality of client information.
Ensure a copy of completed returns are provided to client.
Adhere to Title VI by not denying service to anyone based on race, color, sex, age, national
origin, or disability.
Volunteers cannot accept pay or compensation for assistance provided. Volunteers cannot
refer clients to any one particular for-profit tax preparation service. CAAS will be prescreening clients and maintains a list of appropriate referrals for individuals beyond the scope
of CAAS’s VITA site.
QUALIFICATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Ability to learn and apply basic tax knowledge. Training will be provided.
Basic computer skills for inputting tax return information.
Pride in performing tasks completely and accurately.
Strong interpersonal skills and desire to help people; sense of humor helpful.
Ability to maintain taxpayer confidentiality.
Ability to work well with diverse populations.
Dependability and flexibility.
Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish, Portuguese, or French-Creole, are a plus!
TIME COMMITMENT
Prior to the start of tax season, volunteers successfully complete the IRS’s web-based tax law training
and certification program Link and Learn (about 20 hours for new volunteers), and participate in a 4-hour
orientation that includes software training.
During CAAS’s VITA site season (February 9 through April 1), tax preparation will take place on
Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and two Saturdays (February 20 and March 27).
Volunteers should commit 3-6 hours weekly for the duration of our tax season, with a minimum
commitment of 12 hours/month.
SUPERVISION AND VOLUNTEER LIABILITY
Volunteers will be supervised while on site by the VITA Site Coordinator. The Coordinator will be
available to provide support, guidance, and answer questions. An IRS tax specialist will be also
volunteering at CAAS’s site. The Site Coordinator will ensure a quality check of all tax returns is
completed and electronically files the completed tax returns.
Under the Volunteer Protection Action of 1997 (see IRS Pub. 4299 available online at www.irs.gov),
volunteers are not liable for mistakes, as long as the volunteer acts within the scope of the VITA Program
and has been certified by the IRS as a Volunteer Tax Preparer.
BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEERING
1. Rewarding volunteer experience, with the chance to help low-income people in the
community claim eligible credits and maximize their income.
2. Opportunity to build skills and your resume regarding tax law and electronic tax
preparation.
3. Chance to network and build camaraderie with other VITA volunteers.