Join the Boston Tax Help Coalition, a non-profit organization that assists Boston residents by maximizing the impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits through quality, free tax preparation and financial advising services. There are more than 30 community tax sites throughout the City of Boston open to eligible Boston taxpayers during each tax season.
The Coalition depends on the outstanding work of its volunteers to help nearly 13,000 Boston residents each year. There are four volunteer roles to choose from:
- Tax Preparers prepare taxes for low-moderate income taxpayers.
- Financial Guides analyze credit reports and review them with taxpayers, and can assist taxpayers in opening bank accounts, savings bonds, and retirement accounts.
- Bi-Lingual Interpreters provide interpretation and translation services to Limited English Proficiency taxpayers.
- Community Engagement Liaisons welcome taxpayers to the site, screen tax payer eligibility, manage the flow, and ensure everyone is assisted.
Volunteers receive free training to develop tax and financial skills, as well as, ongoing guidance and supervision at each site. Many volunteers do not have a tax or financial background, but just an interest in expanding their skill set while serving the community. The Coalition requests that each volunteer commits to at least 4 hours a week (equals to one tax shift) from late January through mid-April 2020. Volunteers are able to volunteer at a tax site location near their work, school, or home. At the conclusion of tax season, the Coalition celebrates and honors our volunteers at a very special Volunteer Appreciation Event.
The Coalition supports a positive volunteer experience and makes every effort to meet each volunteer’s needs. Volunteers are able to use the knowledge they gain from training and volunteering towards their own financial lives. You may include your volunteer experience on your resume, use towards academic credit, and Coalition staff and site coordinators are always happy to write recommendations and referrals for volunteers. Last but not least, our volunteers feel a sense of self-satisfaction when assisting under-served taxpayers. You are helping a Boston neighbor move towards a healthier financial state.
Without the wonderful and dedicated work of volunteers, the Coalition would not be able to provide these important wealth building services to Boston’s residents. We need your help! So what are you waiting for? Volunteer registration is open NOW. Training sessions begin late November. Whether you have an accounting background, or just want to be involved in a City-wide anti-poverty initiative, we welcome all interested volunteers. Consider volunteering with a friend!
For details and questions, please contact Sayyida.Jean-Charles@boston.gov or call: 617-918-5360
To register as a volunteer, please click here.