Seasonal Tax Associate
hace 5 días
Elmhurst
Job Description THIS POSITION IS FOR THE 2027 TAX SEASON BEGINNING IN JANUARY Overview Campaign For Working Families Campaign for Working Families, Inc. (CWF) champions the financial well-being and economic mobility of individuals and families through programs, advocacy, initiatives, and support systems that promote equitable opportunity and financial stability. CWF believes every individual and family deserves respect, dignity, and access to the tools and information needed to succeed. CWF advances positive change at the policy and grassroots levels through empathy, data-driven decision-making, and collective action. The following core values guide CWF's mission, goals, and service to individuals and families throughout its communities: • Equity and Inclusion: We believe all individuals and families, regardless of background, race, gender, or socioeconomic status, should have equitable opportunities and access to resources., • Family-Centered Approach: We prioritize policies and initiatives that support family well-being, stability, and growth, recognizing that strong families are the foundation of thriving communities., • Collaboration and Partnerships: We value collaboration with organizations, government agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals who share our commitment to working families., • Data-Driven Decision-Making: We use evidence and data to guide policies, programs, and operational decisions, ensuring that our efforts are effective and impactful., • Respect and Dignity: We treat every individual with respect and dignity, recognize each person's inherent worth, and work to create systems that uphold these values. Position Summary The Tax Associate is an IRS-certified seasonal tax preparer responsible for interviewing clients and preparing accurate federal, state, and local individual income-tax returns within the Associate's certification level, CWF's approved service scope, and IRS VITA/TCE requirements. The Associate reviews source documents and intake responses, asks required follow-up questions, enters information accurately in approved tax software, explains the preparation process, documents relevant facts, submits every return for independent quality review, corrects identified errors, and supports required signatures and client follow-up. The Tax Associate may be an intern, volunteer, or seasonal employee; all individuals performing this function are held to the same certification, confidentiality, conduct, and quality standards. Role and ResponsibilitiesTaxpayer Interview and Return Preparation • Conduct a complete taxpayer interview using the current IRS intake and interview form, source documents, prior-year information when relevant, and required follow-up questions., • Verify identity information, filing status, household members, dependency facts, income, expenses, adjustments, deductions, credits, health-coverage items, banking information, and state or local filing requirements., • Prepare accurate federal, state, and local returns in approved tax software only within current certification and CWF service scope., • Reconcile tax documents to software entries, review diagnostics and warnings, document material facts or unresolved items, and complete an initial self-review before quality review., • Pause preparation and seek guidance when facts are unclear, documents conflict, the taxpayer cannot support a position, or the return may be outside program scope., • Never omit information, create documents, estimate unsupported amounts, direct a refund to an unauthorized account, or promise a refund, credit, acceptance, or processing timeline.Quality Review and Corrections, • Submit every completed return and all supporting documents for independent review by an authorized Senior Tax Analyst or other designated quality reviewer., • Respond professionally to reviewer questions, correct errors completely, update notes when required, and return the corrected work for final approval., • Do not present a return as final, obtain final signatures, release documents, or advance the return for transmission until required quality review is complete., • Learn from correction patterns, participate in coaching or refresher training, and apply updated guidance consistently., • Assist with rejected-return or incomplete-return follow-up only when assigned and supervised through approved procedures.Taxpayer Communication and Service, • Explain the preparation process, ask sensitive questions respectfully, and communicate in clear language appropriate to the taxpayer's needs., • Review major return results with the taxpayer as assigned, confirm banking and contact information, and explain required signatures, copies, records retention, and next steps., • Refer questions involving legal advice, tax controversy, collection, identity theft, out-of-scope matters, or services beyond the Associate's authority to an approved resource., • Provide respectful, patient, confidential, equitable, and culturally responsive service without discrimination or judgment., • Notify the Tax Site Coordinator promptly about complaints, threats, safety issues, suspected coercion, or service barriers.Compliance, Ethics, and Confidentiality, • Follow IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct, Quality Site Requirements, Intake/Interview and Quality Review procedures, CWF policies, and applicable tax rules., • Prepare returns only under the Associate's own authorized account and never share passwords, identification numbers, credentials, or system access., • Safeguard taxpayer documents and information in physical, electronic, written, and verbal form and use only approved systems and communication methods., • Immediately report suspected identity theft, fraud, fabricated documents, unauthorized access, data exposure, conflicts of interest, or misconduct., • Maintain current certification and complete required updates, assessments, coaching, or remediation throughout the assignment.Site Operations and Team Responsibilities, • Maintain an organized workstation, manage assigned work queues, return documents promptly, and update required status or tracking systems., • Coordinate with Intake Specialists, Senior Tax Analysts, interns, volunteers, and site leadership to support efficient client flow and complete handoffs., • Assist with appointment, walk-in, drop-off, virtual, follow-up, scanning, printing, document organization, opening, and closing activities as assigned., • Meet reasonable productivity and timeliness expectations while maintaining accuracy, complete interviews, and quality standards., • Participate in required meetings, training, coaching, performance feedback, and end-of-season closeout., • Perform related seasonal tax-site duties assigned by the Tax Site Coordinator or tax operations leadership. Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Tax Preparation Knowledge • Applies tax law accurately within certification and program scope and recognizes when guidance or referral is required., • Uses intake information, source documents, approved references, and tax software systematically.Accuracy and Attention to Detail, • Enters information carefully, reconciles documents, completes self-review, and corrects errors fully., • Balances productivity with quality and never bypasses required steps to save time.Interviewing and Client Service, • Asks complete follow-up questions respectfully and explains information in plain language., • Maintains patience, professionalism, empathy, and cultural responsiveness.Integrity and Confidentiality, • Protects taxpayer information, uses only authorized access, and follows ethical standards., • Reports suspected fraud, identity theft, security incidents, and out-of-scope matters immediately.Learning and Teamwork, • Accepts quality-review feedback, applies coaching, and maintains required certification., • Coordinates reliable handoffs and contributes to an accountable, respectful tax-site team. Qualifications (Education and Experience) Education • High school diploma or equivalent required., • College coursework or a degree in accounting, finance, business, economics, public administration, or a related field preferred but not required.Experience and Credentials, • Must be able to obtain Advanced VITA certification., • Prior individual income-tax preparation, VITA/TCE, accounting, financial-services, customer-service, or community-service experience preferred., • Ability to obtain and maintain IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview and Quality Review, Basic or Advanced certification appropriate to assignment, and required state, local, or specialty certifications., • Working knowledge of individual income-tax concepts within assigned certification level or demonstrated ability to master required training., • Strong attention to detail, interviewing, problem-solving, organization, customer-service, and communication skills., • Ability to follow written procedures, use reference materials, accept corrective feedback, and work effectively during high-volume periods., • Proficiency with computers, tax preparation software, email, scanners, and office equipment or demonstrated ability to learn quickly., • Bilingual or multilingual ability is valued based on community and site needs. Supervisory Responsibilities This position has no formal supervisory responsibility. Experienced Tax Associates may provide peer support to interns or volunteers only when assigned and may not independently quality-review returns unless separately certified and designated. Other Specialties, Certifications, Physical Requirements, and Work Conditions • This is a temporary, seasonal position. Work dates, weekly hours, assigned location, and continuation of employment depend on tax-season needs, funding, site schedules, performance, and client demand., • Regular, predictable attendance is required. Evening, weekend, extended, and holiday hours may be required during training, site launch, peak filing periods, deadlines, and closeout., • The position may operate at CWF offices, tax sites, partner facilities, community locations, or in an approved virtual setting and may be reassigned based on operational need., • The position routinely uses computers, phones, tax software, appointment and data systems, scanners, printers, and other office equipment., • The position requires prolonged sitting or standing, frequent interaction with the public, movement throughout the tax site, and the ability to lift or move materials weighing up to 10 pounds., • The employee must maintain taxpayer confidentiality, safeguard personally identifiable information, follow CWF and IRS security requirements, and immediately report suspected privacy or security incidents., • Employment is contingent upon completing required onboarding, training, background or screening requirements, and IRS certifications established for the assignment.
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