Here and across the country, the success of free tax preparation sites depends on the continuing generosity of volunteers. Last tax season, volunteers from CASH Oregon and AARP Tax-Aide prepared more than 10,000 tax returns in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. This year we hope to increase the number of returns and the amount in tax credits we help bring back to Tri-County area residents. In order to do this, we need your help! Please consider volunteering your time to help others this tax season. Please see the description of volunteer roles for more information.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with marketing and design, computer savvy volunteers to help with the technical side of our program, and volunteer notary publics.

Help connect working families to the tax credits they deserve

	Description	Useful Skills
AARP Tax-Aide Preparer	Works with clients, uses software to prepare taxes.	Computer skills, good listening and communication skills, knowledgeable or willing to learn about tax law, works well with diverse populations, able to maintain confidentiality.
Interpreter	Interprets for clients and volunteers, especially tax preparers.	Bilingual in English and another language (Spanish and Russian especially helpful), good listening and communication skills, able to track different activities in a busy environment, works well with sensitive populations.
Greeter	Informs clients about process, makes sure intake forms are correctly filled out and assembled, maintains wait list, directs clients to next available tax preparer.	Customer service experience, enthusiastic, friendly and outgoing, well-organized, knowledgeable or willing to learn about CASH and AARP, conflict resolution skills.
Child Activities	Entertains/watches children at Tax-Aide sites, organizes and participates in recreational activities, such as games, coloring books, etc.	Prior child care experience, good communication skills, responsible, First Aid certification.

Training of Volunteer Tax Preparers

Making sure a tax return is prepared accurately is a key component of the Volunteer Return Preparation Program. Volunteer tax preparers are required to have IRS certification in order to prepare returns at volunteer tax sites.

To receive IRS certification you must be able to successfully pass a tax law test developed by IRS. Training is offered to help you prepare for the tax law test. Of course if you have the tax knowledge necessary and you can pass the test, the tax law training is not necessary. Tax preparation software training as well as Oregon tax law and administrative training is still required of all volunteers who are new to the program.

Training is delivered in a variety of ways:

Traditional classroom training. Is generally 40 hours of training that includes Federal tax law, Oregon tax law, training on the use of the TaxWise software to prepare returns, and important administrative procedures. Classes are usually offered in January on a Monday through Friday schedule, or on concurrent Saturdays. Other options may be available.

Link & Learn Taxes is an on-line training program available from IRS. Link & Learn is an interactive course that provides the basics needed to accurately prepare individual tax returns. You are required to complete the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Modules. You will be provided the TaxWise Software and Oregon Tax Law as well as administrative procedures in a classroom setting.

For more information or to request Publication 4480, Link & Learn Taxes Training, Kit, please contact Sarah Broderick or call 503.243.7765.

Oregon Department of Revenue Volunteer Training Materials