Coulee Region Tax Assistance Program
Western Technical College hosts a tax assistance site on campus in La Crosse on three days during the tax season. The site is a collaboration between trained volunteers, Western Technical College, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, and Great Rivers United Way. It utilizes the IRS VITA model and the United Way MYFREETAXES program. It’s a free service open to the community (including surrounding areas of La Crosse) whose household earnings are less than $66,000. Tax Assistance Dates for 2018 are Thursday, March 1, Saturday, March 17, and Saturday, April 7.
The Tax Assister position provide assistance individual’s who are filing their own taxes using the MYFREETAXES web-based software.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Circulate with other volunteers within a computer lab to answer basic technology and tax related questions for community clients who are self-preparing their State and Federal tax returns.
- Ensure that an exit ticket is complete on every client who visits the MYFREETAXES room.
- Distribute satisfaction surveys to clients.
- Maintain confidentiality of client information.
- Report problems to Manager and ask questions to assure 100% accuracy.
- Help prepare Wisconsin Schedule H (Homestead Credit only returns) using Wisconsin E-file.
REQUIRED TRAINING: Attend a 30 minute in-person or over the phone introductory meeting. Complete basic level tax training online at your convenience, approximately four hours of work. Training covers Federal tax law, WI State tax law, and how to use the TaxSlayer system which is similar to the MYFREETAXES system.
REQUIREMENTS: Must commit to volunteering at least 4 hours. Must have a high school diploma, be proficient with computers, and possess excellent interpersonal skills.
