VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program InternAt — Haven Services

VITA Program Interns will serve as certified IRS tax preparers, providing no-cost income tax preparation services to qualifying clients. Under supervision, interns will engage in direct client service, perform tax return preparation, assist with client intake and interview and quality review, and support program operations. This internship offers valuable real-world experience in personal finance, taxation, community engagement, and professional communication and development.

Tasks:

Interns will have a variety of professional responsibilities that directly support their learning outcomes, including:
Tax preparation
- Preparing income tax returns for eligible clients using Taxslayer under staff supervision.
- Applying tax law accurately to client scenarios.
- Ensuring returns are accurate, complete, and compliant with IRS standards.
Client Intakes, Interviews and Quality Review Assistance
- Conducting intake and interview sessions with clients using IRS Form 13614-C.
- Collecting financial documents and verifying client eligibility and identification.
- Communicating tax information in a clear, professional, and compassionate manner.
- Performing supervised quality reviews on completed returns as training progresses.
Event Support
- Participating in VITA events by greeting clients, organizing documents, and preparing taxes.
- Maintaining strict confidentiality and data security when handling client information.
- Assisting in outreach and education efforts to promote VITA services to community members.
- Inputting, updating, and maintaining accurate program data.
Professional conduct
- Add something about Cultural competency and customer service
- Engaging in team meetings to discuss progress and community impact.
- Attending weekly mentorship sessions.
- Demonstrating reliability, punctuality, and accountability.
- Upholding IRS privacy and confidentiality standards at all times.
- Engaging respectfully and professionally with clients, staff, and volunteers.
- Demonstrating cultural competency when interacting with clients from diverse communities, including multilingual households and vulnerable populations

Training:

Month 1:
Orientation
- Overview of Haven Services, our services and the VITA program
- Meet Haven staff and understand their roles
- Review mutual expectations
- Sign Volunteer Agreement Form
IRS Training
- Introduction and account set up for the IRS Taxslayer software
- Completion of Link & Learn certification modules
- IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct
- Intake/ Interview & Quality Review
- Introduction to advanced tax scenarios
- VITA Scope Determination
Learn the fundamentals of tax law
- Filing Statuses & Dependents
- Basic income types (ex: W-2)
- Shadow 3 IRS trained and certified Haven staff members
Mentorship:
- Initial meeting with the chief operating officer to create a support plan and goal roadmap
- Continue mentorship meetings with the executive team every week
Month 2:
Tax law development (increase understanding of tax law)
- Income items: unemployment, self-employment, SSA benefits, 1099-NEC
- Adjustments & deductions: educator expenses, student loan interest
- Common credits: EITC, Child Tax Credit
Apply tax law to real-world situations
- Training on interacting with clients
- Attend 4 VITA events (minimum)
- File 4 returns with assistance and supervision (volume may vary)
- Assist with at least 3 client intake/ interviews (minimum)
- Shadow 3 quality reviews (minimum)
Mentorship
- Continue mentorship meetings with the executive team every week to review progress, support needs, and goals
Month 3:
Apply training as quality reviewer and intake/ interview specialist
- Perform 5 intakes and interviews (minimum)
- Perform 3 quality reviews (minimum)
- Continue learning and practicing tax law
- File 10 returns with assistance and supervision (minimum)
- Attend 8 VITA events (minimum)
- Demonstrate the ability to prepare a return with minimal supervision
Mentorship
- Meet with 2 experienced volunteers working in the financial sector (e.g., bankers) for a mentorship session
- Continue mentorship meetings with the executive team every week
Month 4:
Client & Site Responsibilities
- Prepare 10-15 tax returns independently with supervision review (minimum)
- Continue practicing intake/interview and quality review
- Support site operations (workflow, client check-in, data entry, document organization)
Mentorship
- Continue mentorship meetings with executive team every week to review progress, goals, and areas of improvement
- End of program wrap-up to discuss achievements, career interests, opportunities for continued involvement
- Share letter of recommendation
- Ensure intern is connected with professional in business/ financial sectors to support continued learning and career exploration

Learning Outcome:

1. Apply federal and state tax law to accurately prepare and review tax returns using IRS-approved software, including but not limited to interpreting financial documents, assessing client eligibility, solving tax-related problems
2. Understand tax documents (e.g., W-2s and 1099s) and identify and input information with accuracy
3. Demonstrate strong soft skills including communication, cultural competency, active listening, and customer service when working with diverse and vulnerable populations
4. Uphold ethical standards and confidentiality requirements when handling sensitive client information
5. Analyze the impact of community-based financial services by participating in outreach, supporting volunteer engagement, and reflecting on VITA's role in promoting economic equity and empowerment