United Way of King County’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign is committed to helping low to moderate income families connect to life changing anti-poverty programs, especially now that our program is gearing up to respond to increased economic instability due to COVID-19. In the wake of COVID-19, in 2020 we transformed the Free Tax Preparation Campaign into a 100% virtual program. In 2021, we learned that despite robust barrier reduction protocols utilized by the tax campaign in providing free virtual tax services to county community members, thousands of clients were left behind or were forced to use high-fee services. The 2021-2022 Tax Season is slated to be one in which we set the tone with the highest levels of integrity, excellence, and intention to reach every single person who qualifies for our services as we return to offering in-person free tax preparation services throughout the county, as well as expanding and improving our virtual tax preparation model.
From February 2nd through April 17th, 2022, the United Way of King County Free Tax Preparation Campaign offers free tax preparation assistance. As a Community Intake Specialist, you will help engage clients, organize client intake, maintain waitlists, and conduct health screens as they arrive at tax sites, as well as help to connect clients with other available community resources.
What is volunteering like this year?
As a Community Intake Specialist, you will be a critical component of maintaining health protocols and site flow at our tax sites. You will be interacting with a diverse range of community members and helping to organize and maintain client waitlists, answer questions, provide connections to other community resources, and ensure that client contact lists are complete if the need for contact tracing due to COVID-19 arises.
IF you speak a language other than English, there may also be opportunities to help with translation on site, as needs arise.
What tools will I need to succeed this season?
All Community Intake Specialists will need to pass the VITA Tax Law IRS Certification courses for Standards of Conduct, and Intake/Interview & Quality Review. All additional tools, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitary supplies, will be provided on site. Once you register, we will follow up with instructions for obtaining your training.
What is my time commitment?
We ask that free tax volunteers commit to a minimum of one shift per week for the entirety of the tax season (from the first week of February through April 15th). Shifts can run between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the site location. You are welcome to register for as many shifts as you'd like. Please note, by registering for a shift, you are agreeing to fill that slot for the duration of the tax season.
What is training going to be like?
All intake training will be conducted virtually through the IRS Link and Learn platform. This training takes approximately 10 to 60 minutes to complete. Training aids can be provided, if necessary. We will provide training instructions after you register.
What are the requirements?
• Friendly, dependable, and flexible.
• A passion for connecting with community members as they arrive at tax sites.
• Staying up to date with and able to explain to clients all provided material on community resources.
• Ability to remain organized, manage client flow, and update clients on waitlists via phone or through other methods.
What do I get out of it?
• Connect with community members and their families in the course of your service.
• Real-world client engagement experience.
• Are you a student? Earn volunteer hours for community service requirements!
• Connect and network with other passionate volunteers.
• Letters of Recommendation from United Way of King County (based on service).
Now, select a weekly shift that works best for you!
Click on "Respond Individually" to choose your weekly shift(s) and complete your registration.
