Tax Preparation Volunteers
Professional, Dedicated Volunteers
Filing for Freedom volunteers are the heart of our program. They are professional, dedicated, and willing to not only give their time, but their knowledge and expertise so that we can provide free, compliant tax preparation services to military personnel and first responders, who sacrifice so much for all of us.
How Filing for Freedom works
In partnership with numerous state CPA associations, numerous bar associations, and the American Bar Association, Filing for Freedom’s certified volunteer tax preparers, made up of CPAs, Attorneys, and other tax professionals, provide the following services:
- Tax return preparation
- Tax return checklist
- Assistance in filing your tax return
These services are provided to military personnel and first responders for the 2024 tax season at eight (8) locations, and are offered as either Virtual (V) or In-person (IP) services (or both). While we do offer services virtually, if virtual is your preferred method, we ask volunteers to sign up for virtual services based on location and the location closest to them.
We value your service and expertise, and appreciate your willingness to donate your time. To make this commitment easy, volunteer shifts are generally scheduled as half-days, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. or from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. We ask that volunteers commit to at least one full day or half-day, but may sign up for as many shifts as your schedule allows
Types of volunteers needed
Filing for Freedom volunteers fill three specific roles:
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GREETERS: welcome taxpayers and review information for completeness and scope. |
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PREPARERS: provide tax return preparation services. |
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REVIEWERS: review prepared tax returns and ensure quality service. |
GREETERS:
welcome taxpayers and review information for completeness and scope.
PREPARERS:
provide tax return preparation services.
REVIEWERS:
review prepared tax returns and ensure quality service.
How to get started
The Filing for Freedom program is designed to be straightforward and easy to follow. From the list below, select the location you would like to volunteer in. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your volunteer date(s) and time(s), along with specific information pertaining to training and certification requirements.
2024 Service Locations and Dates:
In-person locations
For in-person volunteering in Atlanta, Georgia with Dobbins Air Reserve Base and the Atlanta Police Department:
Dobbins ARB Dates:
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- Saturday, February 3, 2024
- Sunday, February 4, 2024
- Saturday, March 2, 2024
- Sunday, March 3, 2024
- Saturday, April 6, 2024
- Sunday, April 7, 2024
At-Youth Promise Center South Dates:
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- Saturday, February 10, 2024
- Sunday, February 11, 2024
At-Youth Promise Center Southwest Dates:
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- Saturday, March 16, 2024
- Sunday, March 17, 2024
Virtual volunteering
For virtual volunteering with Joint Base Andrews (MD), Randolph Air Force Base (TX), Fort Knox (KY), Fort Polk (LA), and Fort Sill (OK)
Virtual Volunteering Dates:
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- Virtual Volunteering begins the week of February 12, 2024 through the week of April 8, 2024.
Training and Certifications
The IRS has given permission for our volunteers to use their Link & Learn online program. We use Link & Learn to annually train and certify our volunteers in relevant areas of taxation. The program is self-paced, which allows you to learn at your own speed at times that work best for you.
In addition, Filing for Freedom requires that volunteers pass certain exams depending upon their volunteer role. For a Preparer or Reviewer, the quickest path to certification is to take the Volunteer Standards of Conduct Exam, the Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam, and the Circular 230 Federal Tax Law Test. Most of the exams do not have any prerequisites, except for the Military Exam, which requires you to pass the Advanced Exam first.
Volunteers need to re-certify each year.
GREETERS:
1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct (Ethics) Exam (no CPE/CE credit)
2. Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (no CPE/CE credit)
PREPARERS & REVIEWERS:
1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct (Ethics) Exam (no CPE/CE credit)
2. Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam (no CPE/CE credit)
3. One or more of the following:
- Circular 230 Federal Tax Law Test (no CPE/CE credit)
- Basic Exam (no CPE/CE credit)
- Advanced Exam (14 hours of CPE/CE credit after ten volunteer hours onsite)
- Military Exam (18 hours of CPE/CE credit after ten volunteer hours onsite)
Training Videos and Guides:
VITA TaxSlayer Pro Practice Lab
Volunteers can learn how to setup and run through the steps of creating/viewing/modifying returns in the safety of TaxSlayers Pro testing environment. Visit https://vita.taxslayerpro.com/, click on the ‘Practice Lab’ in order to login. Use password TRAINPROWEB and it will prompt you to create a username and password.
