We are currently looking for VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteers for the upcoming Tax Filing Season. The volunteer positions that we are looking to fill are:
- Schedulers: to schedule tax appointments
- Greeters: to greet clients when they arrive for their tax appointment
- Tax Preparers: to prepare tax returns (all tax preparers become IRS Certified)
Annette Peterson has been a volunteering for VITA as a scheduler and greeter. We are lucky to have such a wonderful volunteer. Annette shares some of her experiences with the VITA program in this short Q&A below:
Q: What has your VITA experience been like?
A: My experience as a VITA volunteer has been quite rewarding. This tax season I will be volunteering as a scheduler and greeter. I have always enjoyed Center For Siouxland’s staff and the other volunteers a great deal. I have also enjoyed the tax clients who come in year after year and express their gratitude for the VITA program. At the end of the tax season I am always amazed at the number of people who have been served by this program and the amount of money the program has been able to get for these people in refunds.
Q: Why should others volunteer for VITA?
A: Volunteers are the heart of the VITA program. Center For Siouxland provides a safe and pleasant environment for the agency staff, volunteers, as well as the clients. Training is provided for the various positions. Scheduling work hours, days, evenings, and weekends are flexible. Not all positions require the ability to complete tax returns. Greeters and schedulers are just as important to the program as the tax preparers. In addition to providing a great experience for college students hoping to have a career in accounting or a similar field, it is also a good opportunity for other adults, including seniors, that have some additional time to spend in a very worthwhile program.
Q: What has been the most rewarding thing about your VITA volunteer experience?
A: Doing volunteer work has always been important to me. The VITA program has provided me with a tremendous opportunity to be with others and to help others in our community. This program is important in the community as evidenced by the many returning clients. Many of these people do not have the available resources to pay for tax preparation every year. Many times we hear their gratitude for this program.
If you are interested in volunteering please fill out the Google Form below. This gets your contact information to our VITA Program Coordinator, Olivia, who will then be in touch about training session dates. Additional questions can be emailed to olivia.benjamin@centerforsiouxland.org