Student Tax Preparation Intern -Plaza Office

Description

Fight poverty. Learn a lifelong skill. MFS CASH Oregon is an economic empowerment program of Metropolitan Family Services that provides free tax preparation services and community outreach to low-income, working families and individuals.

Under the supervision of the Student Programming and Volunteer Coordinator the Student Tax Preparation Intern will be responsible for preparing and delivering free volunteer tax preparation services to low income taxpayers using IRS provided tax software throughout the regular tax season (January-April) in 2025.

Values :

We use creative and proactive problem-solving to build and sustain dynamic community-based programs and quality services

We believe in the potential of families and individuals at all life stages and focus on prevention, wellness, and independence

We build strong relationships by collaborating with our funders, partners, and highly trained volunteers, always striving for an extensive commitment to diversity

What you’ll gain from interning :

Fight poverty and help low-wage earners keep more of what they make!

Learn a lifelong skill : preparing federal and Oregon tax returns!

Provide vital tax service to the low-income and limited ability and limited English proficient communities

Connect with a network of 250 volunteers and staff, including current and retired business and civic leaders

Learn about the complexities and inequities of the federal and Oregon tax codes and how they can both help and harm marginalized taxpayers

Acquire strong technical experience through delivering tax preparation

Develop strong interpersonal skills by interacting with a diverse client base

Make a meaningful difference in your community!

Responsibilities and Duties :

Provide direct free service in a compassionate and respectful manner

Prepare accurate personal tax returns using TaxSlayer software

Conduct intake interviews with clients to understand their tax situation and collect additional information

Consistently utilize tax resource materials in order to research and correctly apply tax law

Share information acquired at tax preparer training regarding tax-related issues with taxpayers, including ways they may improve their personal financial situation

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Must be a current student at an accredited post secondary institution

Must be 18+ years of age

No tax knowledge or experience required

Must complete MFS CASH Oregon’s Tax Preparer Training and IRS Certification after hire

Show compassion, patience and empathy when working with members of underserved communities

Successful candidates will be organized, detail-oriented, reliable, and punctual

Fluency in Spanish or another second language is a plus

Training and Orientation Process :

This position requires 30-40 hours of paid, self-paced online tax preparation training. Training and orientation begins in December 2024 and will prepare you for passing the IRS volunteer certification exams required for preparing taxes.

These exams are open-book with no time limit, and are used to ensure that you can prepare simple tax returns and that you will protect client confidentiality.

Our training team will help support you through this process. Once you pass these exams you will be required to set a work schedule for the tax season (January - April).

Work Environment :

Work is performed in an office environment. Position requires ability to sit for extended periods as well as stand occasionally.

Position requires use of computer, telephone, fax machine, copier and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.

Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce to broaden and deepen our work in the communities we serve.

We strongly urge candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQIA2S+, linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an