VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program Intern
El Centro seeks a motivated VITA Intern interested in developing skills, knowledge, and real world experience related to their area of study while creating a more inclusive and equitable civic experience for members of Latinx communities of the New Orleans metropolitan area. Interns will work with the Program Coordinator and VITA Volunteer team to provide access to free basic tax preparation services, including valuable tax credits for working families under the supervision of El Centro staff. This program is part of the national IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This is an in-person, paid internship opportunity for Spanish speakers studying Accounting, Finance, Law or a related field.
Internship Requirements -Training
VITA services are not only free, they are a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA volunteers, interns, and staff who prepare returns must pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. Ethics training includes privacy and confidentiality of taxpayer information, Taxpayer Civil Rights, and IRS VITA regulations. Tax law training requires interns to certify to the Advanced Level with options to pursue specialty certification in Military, International, and Puerto Rican tax preparation.
VITA training is provided by El Centro and offered as a hybrid of required in-person sessions, self-guided study, and optional in person or virtual study groups. Interns will need to attend program orientation and training sessions 1-3 in January. In these sessions, they will receive an overview of the VITA program, basic tax concepts, common tax credits, and how to navigate self-study materials. Interns will work closely with El Centro staff and support peer study groups as well as serving as an additional point of contact for volunteers. Interns will take an open-book exam which includes creating mock tax-returns using IRS software. Exams will be due Feb. 1st.
Other Internship Requirements -Commitments
This is a 7-25 hour per week internship with increasing demands as the tax season progresses. After the training period, 4-5 community tax events will be held on Saturdays in Jefferson and Orleans parishes in February, March, and April. Interns will be required to attend all events from 9:00 am to 5:pm. Additional hours will be required 2 days per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays for the final 5 weeks of the program.
Compensation
This is not an employee position. Contracted interns will receive a set stipend of $2,000 for the duration of the project.