Volunteer | The Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit
Our program offering free, accessible tax preparation services for low-income taxpayers across Cuyahoga County is only possible with the help of volunteers like you. In 2020 we trained over 300 volunteers to help deliver $18.3 million dollars in refunds back to over 12,000 people. These refunds help fight poverty and ensure people have a path from financial uncertainty to financial security.
To volunteer with us, no experience with taxes is required! One quick training will get you certified, and all of our tax sites have experienced professionals that help review our returns.
To get started, simply follow our step-by-step guide to getting involved with the Cuyahoga EITC Coalition below. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Read testimonials of volunteers to learn first-hand why they love what they do. »
Find the Right Position
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Tax Preparer
Work directly with taxpayers to help prepare and e-file tax returns. All returns are reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy before being submitted.
Training Required
Basic: Recommended for volunteers new to taxes - pass an IRS ethics test and complete a Beginner Training
Advanced: Volunteers will prepare more complex returns. Recommended for those already familiar with tax law - complete an IRS ethics test and complete an Advanced Training.
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Intake Specialist / Greeter
Intake Specialists welcome clients to the tax site, and complete their initial intake interview. This interview identifies the scope of the tax return and ensures that the client has all of the necessary documents and paperwork ready for the tax filing process.
Training Required
All Intake Specialists are required to pass an ethics test prior to volunteering. Attend an Intake Specialist training to learn the role and get certified.
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Translator
Some of our clients speak English as a second language or are deaf/hard of hearing. We are looking for volunteers to translate the following languages: Spanish (Metro West Lin Omni Center tax site), , Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic (Asian Services in Action tax site), and American Sign Language
Training Required
All Translators are required to pass an ethics test prior to volunteering. Attend an Translator training to learn the role and get certified.
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Tax Site Coordinator
Part time position, stipend included
Lead sites and ensure the quality and accuracy of tax return preparation. Commitment varies between 10-30 hours per week.
Training Required
In-person Site Coordinator training and the ability to pass Ethics, Advanced, and Health Savings Account (HSA) certification tests.
To learn more, contact our Program Officer - Maggie Campbell at mcampbell@enterprisecommunity.org
Get Certified
Depending on the role you chose, it’s now time to get IRS certified. You can join us for one of our free training sessions, which includes the certification test. You can see our full calendar of training sessions by clicking the link below:
Sign Up for a Training to Get Certified »
You can also get certified online, at your own speed and pace. Training resources and certification tests are available on the IRS’ Link & Learn website. You will need to make an account to take the certification tests.
* Note: The certification test does require the completion of practice tax returns. Contact volunteer@refundohio.org for information on how to access our practice software.
Sign Up to Volunteer
Once you’re IRS certified, you’re ready to volunteer! We have tax sites all over Cuyahoga County with opportunities available on every day of the week.
View our full schedule of volunteer opportunities and to sign up on Volunteer Hub.
If you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering for the Cuyahoga EITC Coalition, please contact us.
How We’re Keeping You Safe
DOCUMENT DROP-OFFS: All tax preparation services are currently being conducted using a drop-off method, in which clients either wait for their returns to be completed in a safe, separate location or return later to pick up their completed return.
MASKS REQUIRED: All volunteers and clients are required to wear masks while in our tax site facilities.
FREQUENT CLEANING: We have gone to great lengths to ensure that our tax preparation sites remain safe and clean for all of our volunteers and clients. Cleaning is scheduled every day at regular intervals.
REDUCED SHIFT LENGTHS: Volunteer shift lengths will be limited to shorter intervals (4-5 hours per day) to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.