Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering
If you do not find an answer to your question, please feel free to contact Volunteer Services at (312) 630-0244 or via e-mail.
- How will I be supported as a volunteer?
- What experience do I need to volunteer?
- What can I expect from volunteer training?
- How do I know which tax site is best for me?
- What is the process of requesting and receiving Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits?
- Can our group volunteer for a one-day event?
- My organization wants to volunteer. Can we request a private training session at our location?
- What if I make a mistake on someone’s tax return?
- How does the Center screen clients?
- I work at a bank and know a product that would really help a client. Can I offer him the product?
How will I be supported as a volunteer?
The Center's Volunteer Services staff is available to provide general support and discuss issues or concerns for all volunteers at (312) 630-0244 or via email. Additional support from program supervisors is also provided.
As a volunteer stationed at one of our tax sites, you will work alongside site manager and veteran volunteers that provide on-site support.
Tax representatives work closely with our tax clinic manager, who provides guidance and assistance via phone, email or in-office visits.
Office volunteers work directly with staff members, who are available to provide assistance.
What experience do I need as a volunteer?
For most of our volunteer opportunities, no experience is needed! The most important traits in a volunteer are dedication, follow-through and an enthusiasm for working with a variety of people. Please see individual opportunities for any specific requirements.
What can I expect from volunteer training?
Volunteer training is designed to make our opportunities accessible for all volunteers regardless of experience.
Tax preparers:
New volunteers attend 7-9 hours of training to provide volunteers with all the knowledge they need to successfully prepare taxes at our sites. Topics include basic tax preparation topics and TaxWise software. Returning tax preparation volunteers attend three hours of training, covering updates to tax law and reviewing basic tax preparation topics and TaxWise software.
Advanced training may be available on topics including tax preparation for self-employed clients, FAFSA preparation, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) returns and quality review.
Tax site assistants:
All tax site assistants attend three hours of training on the Center's tax site procedures and client intake and outtake.
Tax representatives:
Training is provided on-the-job with special training sessions held as needed.
Office volunteers:
On-the-job training is provided by the Center staff member overseeing your project.
How do I know which tax site is best for me?
Volunteers may choose a site based on location, accessibility to parking or public transportation, pace and atmosphere or where volunteers are needed most.
Please use our tax site locator to identify the closest sites to work or home. Our site guides provide information on accessibility of parking or public transportation, as well as unique site features and needs.
If you have any additional questions on selecting your site, contact the Volunteer Services department at (312) 630-0244 or via email. We are happy to help you find the right site.
What is the process for requesting and receiving Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits? What are CPE credits?
Volunteers wishing to receive CPE credits must request them at the time of volunteer registration or contact the Volunteer Services department at (312) 630-0244 or via email. Volunteers who meet the requirements outlined below will receive one credit for each hour of classroom training attended.
CPE certificates are available to volunteer tax preparers who have attended our classroom training, passed the current year's IRS certification test and volunteered at least 20 hours at one of our sites during the current tax season. Certificates are mailed in June.
Tax representatives may occasionally have the opportunity to earn CPE credits or Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for certain trainings. Volunteers receive CPE or CLE certificates in the mail after training sessions.
Can our group volunteer for a one-day event?
If you have a group that would like to volunteer at our office, we would be happy to work with you to determine a date, time and project that suits your organization. Please contact the Volunteer Services department at (312) 630-0244 or via email for more information.
We cannot accommodate one-time volunteers at any of our tax sites.
My organization wants to volunteer. Can we request a private training session at our location?
Due to limited resources, the Center does not have the ability to offer training sessions outside of our regular volunteer training schedule. To view our training locations, click here.
What if I make a mistake on someone’s tax return?
Each tax return is reviewed on-site by a site manager or experienced volunteer with extensive tax training, so most mistakes are corrected before submitting the return to the IRS.
If an error sneaks through the review process, volunteers that have registered with the Center through our online signup process and passed the IRS certification exam for the current tax year cannot be held legally responsible for the error and are covered under our volunteer liability insurance. Additionally, the Center's tax clinic can help correct any errors that are discovered on tax returns prepared at Center tax sites.
How does the Center screen clients?
All clients must meet income guidelines to determine eligibility for our programs.
Tax preparation and FAFSA clients must have under $25,000 in annual income as a single individual or under $50,000 of annual family income for clients that are married and/or have children.
Tax clinic clients must fall under 250% of the poverty line and undergo an interview process to determine whether their case is eligible for clinic assistance.
I work at a bank and know a product that would really help a client. Can I offer him the product?
Volunteers may only refer clients to Center-approved products and services, as outlined in our ethics guidelines. If you are interested in learning how to become a registered bank partner, contact Duane Cole via email.
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Center for Economic Progress
29 E. Madison • Suite 900 • Chicago, IL 60602
Tel: (312) 252-0280 • Fax: (312) 252-0285
Email: info@economicprogress.org
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