The Tax Help Program
Tax Help is a program of Foundation Communities, which provides free income tax preparation as a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program sanctioned by the IRS. With your help, we will prepare more than 20,000 tax returns resulting in over $35 million in refunds returned to the pockets of those in our community who need it most. The Prosper Center's Tax Help sites will operate six locations (five in Austin and one in Round Rock). In order to accomplish this amazing feat, we will engage over 600 volunteers as Tax Preparers, Client Liaisons and Translators.
You can find our main flyer with tax site information for clients here. Please note that volunteer shifts do not generally match the client hours. If you need information about volunteer shift times, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
The Volunteer Client Liaison Role
A Client Liaison is often the first person a client encounters when they arrive at the site. Client Liaisons welcome clients, maintain the sign-in sheet, screen clients for eligibility for our services, and prepare clients to meet with one of our volunteer Tax Preparers. Client Liaisons work at the intake desk at our tax centers and are supervised by a staff member who provides continued training and support.
The Volunteer Translator Role
About thirty percent of our clients are Spanish-speaking only. Many more can speak English but prefer Spanish because they understand it better. For that reason, Translators are integral to our site operations. Translators support clients and volunteers throughout the tax preparation process. We schedule Translators at sites where we have the most need. In order for Translators to understand our tax site operations, their training module includes information about our eligibility, our procedures, and the intake process. Translators will be cross-trained as Client Liaisons. This will give you flexibility for locations/times to volunteer and also makes you an even bigger asset to the program.
Preparing to Volunteer
Before volunteering at one of our sites, all Client Liaisons and Translators must complete the following steps IN THIS ORDER:
Thank you!
We cannot do this work without you. On behalf of our clients and our staff, THANK YOU for giving your time to us!
Contact Us
Do you have a question about becoming a volunteer, the volunteer training, the Tax Help program, or Foundation Communities? The primary contact for volunteers is:
Danielle Girard, Volunteer Coordinator, Tax Help Program
Email: [email protected]
Direct phone: 512-610-7967
Tax Help is a program of Foundation Communities, which provides free income tax preparation as a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program sanctioned by the IRS. With your help, we will prepare more than 20,000 tax returns resulting in over $35 million in refunds returned to the pockets of those in our community who need it most. The Prosper Center's Tax Help sites will operate six locations (five in Austin and one in Round Rock). In order to accomplish this amazing feat, we will engage over 600 volunteers as Tax Preparers, Client Liaisons and Translators.
You can find our main flyer with tax site information for clients here. Please note that volunteer shifts do not generally match the client hours. If you need information about volunteer shift times, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
The Volunteer Client Liaison Role
A Client Liaison is often the first person a client encounters when they arrive at the site. Client Liaisons welcome clients, maintain the sign-in sheet, screen clients for eligibility for our services, and prepare clients to meet with one of our volunteer Tax Preparers. Client Liaisons work at the intake desk at our tax centers and are supervised by a staff member who provides continued training and support.
The Volunteer Translator Role
About thirty percent of our clients are Spanish-speaking only. Many more can speak English but prefer Spanish because they understand it better. For that reason, Translators are integral to our site operations. Translators support clients and volunteers throughout the tax preparation process. We schedule Translators at sites where we have the most need. In order for Translators to understand our tax site operations, their training module includes information about our eligibility, our procedures, and the intake process. Translators will be cross-trained as Client Liaisons. This will give you flexibility for locations/times to volunteer and also makes you an even bigger asset to the program.
Preparing to Volunteer
Before volunteering at one of our sites, all Client Liaisons and Translators must complete the following steps IN THIS ORDER:
- Complete a volunteer registration if you haven't done so already. (Not sure if you did this? Contact [email protected] with your full name and phone number.)
- View the online training module for your volunteer role (the "Client Liaison Training" or "Translator Training" tab).
- Complete an online quiz.
- Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct training, provided and required by the IRS.
- Complete and pass the IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct exam & Intake and Quality Review exam with a grade of 80% or better.
- Send a copy of your volunteer agreement (Form 13615) from the testing website to [email protected].
Thank you!
We cannot do this work without you. On behalf of our clients and our staff, THANK YOU for giving your time to us!
Contact Us
Do you have a question about becoming a volunteer, the volunteer training, the Tax Help program, or Foundation Communities? The primary contact for volunteers is:
Danielle Girard, Volunteer Coordinator, Tax Help Program
Email: [email protected]
Direct phone: 512-610-7967