Community Tax Preparation - Tax Preparers & Tax preparer assistants - Needed for the IRS VITA Tax program in Monmouth County, NJ
Please register to be automatically notified when the workshop schedule planned for December 2025 is posted.
United Way of Central Jersey will provide FREE training for all volunteers interested in participating in the 2026 annual filing season. Daytime hours available for both training, and during the filing season engagement.
Requirements:
Commit to a minimum of 3 - 5 hour weekly during the tax filing season (February 1 - April 15, 2025)
Complete the IRS certification timely after training
Volunteers will use techniques learned during training to conduct efficient Intake Interviews; will review best practices for protecting taxpayer's personal information during our Ethics & Quality Review session; will learn to apply the appropriate tax laws in determining the correct filing status for clients; will be able to determine qualifying dependents on parent's tax returns; will be able to differentiate among the types of income, (taxable vs non-taxable, earned vs unearned); become familiar with the popular credits and deductions available for working parents with dependents. Students will also receive hands-on training in navigating Taxslayer, our professional tax software through simulation returns practice. Workshops also incorporate online training for homework review and practice problems.
Each year United Ways and other non-profits help their community by completing thousands of free tax returns, for people in need through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, resulting in thousands of dollars being kept in our communities. United Way of Central Jersey in collaboration with a host of Monmouth County community partners are recruiting volunteers in various capacities to help with this effort.
Training is provided to assist volunteers with completing the required certifications. The sites anticipated opening dates are from February 2025 - March 2025 (weekly on Tuesday)
Volunteers may volunteer at any one of two locations, the Community Affairs Resource Center (CARC) in Freehold, and/or the Launch Center in Asbury Park to provide this valuable service.
Income Tax Preparer / Quality Reviewer: (Prepare federal & state tax returns for electronic e-file)
Certifications required (3)
1. Ethics test (open-book test)
2. Intake/Interview module (open-book test)
3. Basic OR Advanced level Certification (open-book test)
Millions of low-to-moderate-income taxpayers rely on free, basic tax preparation each year, and thousands of ordinary VITA volunteers like you prepare these returns! The United Way of Central Jersey (UWCJ) and Monmouth County needs you on its tax prep team for 2026! United Way of Central Jersey teams up with the IRS and community partners each year to provide free tax services through VITA. United Way and its collaborators are the leading providers of volunteer income tax assistance in Middlesex County.
"This service is aimed at low and moderate-income taxpayers," said Gloria Aftanski, President of United Way of Central Jersey.
The IRS partners with United Way to direct a coalition of community partners in order to increase the reach of the VITA. United Way of Central Jersey is located at 32 Ford Avenue in Milltown NJ 08850
Volunteer Positions:
Tax Preparer: Advanced or Basic (Prepare returns, Quality review returns)
Prepare Federal & State returns. Volunteers receive hands-on training using a professional tax software. (3 certifications needed). Guidance provided by tax professionals & experienced IRS Certified tax preparers.
Tax Preparer Assistant (Greet clients, conduct Intake Interview, assist limited English proficiency clients with translation)
Review intake form for completion. Conduct taxpayer interviews to gather additional information, assist with translations (bi-lingual Spanish volunteers needed), assist client with retrieving online statements, review simple completed returns with clients. Training is provided. Only the first 2 certifications are needed.
Certifications requirements:
Ethics Certification
Intake/Interview & Quality Review Certification
Advance Level Certification or Basic Level Certification
Contact Charmaine at crodriguez@uwcj.org or call 732 247 3727 X 216
United Way of Central Jersey: Phone Contact: 732 247 3727 X 216
Email contact: crodriguez@uwcj.org
