Volunteer as a Tax Preparer!

By volunteering as a Tax Preparer, just one hour of your time could put over $5,000 into the pockets of a hardworking, low to moderate-income family. Learn more.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Shelby Beck or (540) 373-0041 ext. 314.

No prior experience required to volunteer.

Tax law training is provided free of charge. All volunteers must pass an "open book" test that certifies they are able to help prepare taxes. Classroom training is typically offered in December and January. Online training, Link and Learn, is also available through the IRS website. Volunteers only need to study and pass the Basic section. Free Tax Services is through the Rappahannock Region Financial Stability Coalition. Learn more.

About the program

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is now the largest federal anti-poverty program, bringing in an estimated $1 billion into the homes of low-income working families and the Fredericksburg area economy. United Way leads the EITC Coalition, which is working to raise awareness of the credit and provide low-income families with free tax preparation assistance to help them claim it.

There are several ways you can get involved and lend a hand to help low income workers become more financially stable through Rappahannock United Way's Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative. Volunteer opportunities range from volunteering weekly at a tax site to volunteering once a month at a Credit Report Review Day. We will work with you to find an opportunity that matches your skills, interests and availability.

Upcoming Opportunities

Volunteer Tax Preparer - Volunteer Tax Preparers work with clients in a one-on-one setting to help them file their annual federal and state tax returns. Tax Preparers use a computer program called TaxWise to enter in the clients' information and file their return electronically.

Greeter and Intake Volunteers - The Greeter and Intake Volunteer will work with clients when they initially come to the site to have their taxes prepared. The volunteer prepares client folders for tax preparers, assists with site preparation, greets and makes clients feel comfortable at the site, helps clients fill out the intake sheet, provides literature on financial literacy programs to interested clients.

Volunteer Credit Counselor - Volunteer Credit Counselors will work with clients in a one-on-one setting to help clients obtain their credit score, understand their credit score, and find ways to improve their current financial situations.

Credit Report Intake Volunteer - Credit Report Intake Volunteers will work one-on-one with clients to input their personal information into Annual Credit Report.com to retrieve clients' credit reports and scores. These volunteers will not review the credit reports, they will just assist in retrieving and printing the reports.

Credit Report Review Day Greeter - Greeter Volunteers will work with clients when they initially come to the Credit Review Day events. These volunteers will greet the clients and make them feel comfortable at the site.