Free Community Tax Service
Internship Information
Site Coordinator
Position: Free Community Tax Service (FCTS) Site Coordinator
General Summary
United Way of Monroe County and the Free Community Tax Service (FCTS) Team are seeking site
coordinators for several FCTS sites. The FCTS provides free federal and state income tax preparation to lowand moderate-income residents from January to April, 2013. As an FCTS Site Coordinator, you will manage
FCTS site operations and volunteers, screen clients in an intake and interview process, prepare tax returns,
and conduct quality reviews of returns. You will receive training in income tax law and tax preparation and
will become IRS-certified.
Mission
United Way works with member agencies and community partners to bring lasting change and improve
people’s lives. We focus on the building blocks for a better life – Education for life and career, Earnings that
allow people of all ages and abilities to be self-sufficient, and the Essentials (access to food, housing, health
care, and emergency services).
The goals of the FCTS program are three-fold:
 Promote tax understanding and awareness;
 Prepare accurate tax returns free for qualified taxpayers; and
 Encourage personal asset building through tax incentives.
Work Environment and Intern Work Space
The FCTS Site Coordinator will work primarily indoors in an office environment. The majority of work will be
performed at the FCTS sites. The FCTS sites are located at nonprofit organizations throughout Monroe and
Owen counties.
Position Description
The FCTS Site Coordinator manages all aspects of the FCTS site operations to ensure fair and high quality
service to clients; appropriate application of tax law when preparing federal and state income tax returns,
and compliance with IRS privacy and confidentiality agreements when administrating electronic tax returns.
Position requires the use of computer equipment and software, professional management and interactions
with a small group of volunteers and key stakeholders, and the application of high ethical standards and
adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Tasks include:
 Work with United Way and host site to schedule dates and times that FCTS site will be operational
 Manage a small group of volunteers to work at site, including a volunteer work schedule
 Set up and operate laptop computers and printers and address related IT challenges
 Conduct intake interviews with clients
 Prepare state and federal tax returns
 Conduct quality reviews of tax returns
 Maintain relationship with United Way of Monroe County, host site liaisons, and local IRS office for
obtaining site materials and other pertinent information
 Ensure adherence to IRS policies, procedures, and guidelines
Skills and Qualifications
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Interest in learning more about income tax law
Strong computer skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong organizational and management skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to work well with diverse populations
Strong communication skills, specifically the ability to translate tax law into understandable
concepts for clients and other volunteers
You will be required to:
 Complete all IRS training and certification requirements (about 10 hours with additional training on
your own time)
 Pass an IRS certification exam through the Intermediate Level
 Attend an IRS-sponsored Site Coordinator training session
 Maintain communication with the site liaison, United Way of Monroe County, and your site
volunteers
 Be on-site during all FCTS site hours of operation and additional hours as necessary
Timeline and Time Commitment
Training and certification will occur the first three weeks in January (although there is an option of
completing online training and working at your own pace). Required training will take about 10 hours with
additional training on your own time. The FCTS Site Coordinator will work 10 to 15 hours a week at the FCTS
site during the tax filing season, beginning in late January. Since the FCTS Site Coordinator sets the site’s
hours of operation, the Site Coordinator has the flexibility of determining specific days and hours, as well as
the number of weeks the site will be in operation (a minimum of 6 weeks is required, with most sites
operating 8 to 10 weeks).
Benefits to Internship






You will receive training in tax preparation and quality control
You will become IRS certified to prepare federal and state tax returns
You will gain valuable real-world experience setting up a free tax return site, preparing tax returns,
serving clients, managing volunteers, and networking with community members
United Way will provide letters of recommendation for your service
Mileage reimbursement will be provided for site coordinators working outside of Bloomington
Meal stipends will be provided for site coordinators working outside of Bloomington
Intern Supervisor’s Name and Contact Information
Ashley Hall, Community Initiatives Director
United Way of Monroe County
441 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
ash@monroeunitedway.org
812-334-8370 ext. 11
Tax Preparer
Position: Free Community Tax Service (FCTS) Tax Preparer
General Summary
United Way of Monroe County and the Free Community Tax Service (FCTS) Team are seeking tax preparers
for several FCTS sites. The FCTS provides free federal and state income tax preparation to low- and
moderate-income residents from January to April, 2013. As an FCTS tax preparer you will screen clients in
an intake and interview process and assist in the electronic filing of their federal and Indiana tax returns.
You will receive training in income tax law and tax preparation and will become IRS-certified.
Mission
United Way works with member agencies and community partners to bring lasting change and improve
people’s lives. We focus on the building blocks for a better life – Education for life and career, Earnings that
allow people of all ages and abilities to be self-sufficient, and the Essentials (access to food, housing, health
care, and emergency services).
The goals of the FCTS program are three-fold:
 Promote tax understanding and awareness;
 Prepare accurate tax returns free for qualified taxpayers; and
 Encourage personal asset building through tax incentives.
Work Environment and Intern Work Space
FCTS Tax Preparers will work primarily indoors in an office environment. The majority of work will be
performed at the FCTS sites. The FCTS sites are located at nonprofit organizations throughout Monroe and
Owen counties.
Position Description
FCTS Tax Preparers prepare tax returns for taxpayers (tax returns are typically simple 1040 or 1040-Z),
answering taxpayers’ questions and maintaining confidentiality. Position requires the use of computer
equipment and software, professional interactions with other volunteers and key stakeholders, and the
application of high ethical standards and adherence to Internal Revenue Service policies, procedures, and
guidelines.
Skills and Qualifications






Interest in learning more about income tax law
Strong computer skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to work well with diverse populations
Strong communication skills, specifically the ability to translate tax law into understandable
concepts for clients
You will be required to:
 Complete all training (about 10 hours with additional training on your own time)



Pass an IRS certification exam through the Intermediate Level
Maintain communication with the Site Coordinator
Be on-site during your allocated work time
Timeline and Time Commitment
Training and certification will occur the first three weeks in January. Required training will take about 10
hours with additional training on your own time. The FCTS Tax Preparer will work approximately 10 hours a
week at the FCTS site during the tax filing season, beginning in late January. A minimum of 6 weeks is
required, with most sites operating 8 to 10 weeks.
Benefits to Internship





You will receive training in tax preparation
You will become IRS certified to prepare federal and state tax returns
You will gain valuable real-world experience preparing tax returns, serving clients, managing
volunteers, and networking with community members
United Way will provide letters of recommendation for your service
Mileage reimbursement will be provided for Tax Preparers working outside of Bloomington
Intern Supervisor’s Name and Contact Information
Ashley Hall, Community Initiatives Director
United Way of Monroe County
441 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
ash@monroeunitedway.org
812-334-8370 ext. 11
Additional Information
2012 FCTS Sites
These locations, dates, and times are from last year and may change for 2013.
Ellettsville Branch Library, 600 W. Temperance St., Ellettsville, Phone 812-876-3383
February 3 - April 14 (Appointment Only.)
Friday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 211 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington
January 30 - March 9 (First come, first served.)
Monday & Tuesday: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, 200 Daniels Way, Room B201, Bloomington 812-332-1559 ex.
0
January 25 - March 6 (Appointment Only.)
Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Owen County Public Library, 10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer, Phone 812-829-3392 ext. 1
January 26 - April 14 (Appointment Only.)
Thursday: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
South Central Community Action Program, 1500 W. 15th St., Bloomington, Phone 812-339-3447 ext. 235
January 31 - April 14 (Appointment Only.)
Tuesday: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
WorkOne, 450 S. Landmark Ave., Bloomington 812-331-6000 ext. 254
January 30 - April 12 (First come, first served.)
Monday & Thursday 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Mobile Sites
Broadview Learning Center
705 W. Coolidge Drive, Bloomington 812-330-7731
Saturday, February 4: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
By appointment only. Spanish interpretation available.
St. Paul Catholic Center
1413 E 17th, Bloomington
Sunday, February 12: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
First come first served. Spanish interpretation available.
LifeDesigns, Inc.
200 East Winslow Road, Bloomington 812-961-4382
Friday, February 17: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
By appointment only.
Stone Belt Arc
2815 East 10th Street, Bloomington 812-332-2168
Saturday, February 18: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
By appointment only.