Overview

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program at Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Services are available to residents of:

• Franklin County
• Hampshire County
• North Quabbin communities, including:
  • Athol
  • Petersham
  • Royalston
  • Phillipston

This internship provides students with hands-on experience in tax preparation while serving the community through free tax assistance programs.

Training and Certification

CAPV provides training and support to help interns become IRS-certified VITA volunteers.

Training Dates (2027) All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom:

• January 5, 2027, | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• January 7, 2027, | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• January 12, 2027, | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• January 14, 2027, | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Training will combine basic and advanced tax law concepts and provide hands-on experience using the IRS Practice Lab. Participants will complete a small amount of independent work between sessions.

Training will include:

• Review of program ethics, customer service and professional requirements
• Tax law fundamentals and tax return preparation
• Practice preparing tax returns
• Training on the tax preparation software used by the program

New volunteers should expect to spend approximately 12-15 hours completing training and certification requirements.

Intern Responsibilities

Clinic Schedule and Locations:

Tax clinics operate from January through April 2027 at the following locations:

Greenfield: 393 Main Street, 4^th Floor, Greenfield

• Monday Evenings: 5:15 PM - 8:30 PM
• Tuesday Afternoons: 12:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Hadley: 4 Bay Road, Building A suite 100, Hadley

• Wednesday Evenings: 5:15 PM - 8:30 PM

Northampton: 155 Pleasant Street, Northampton

• Thursday Evenings: 5:15 PM-8:30 PM

Orange: 119 New Athol Road, Suite 150, Orange

• Selected weekends

Internship Role

Student Tax Preparers provide free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality.

As representatives of CAPV, interns are expected to provide excellent customer service and uphold public trust at all times.

Responsibilities

• Attend required tax law training and certification sessions.
• Prepare federal and state income tax returns using approved electronic filing software.
• Participate in VITA with a minimum of 3.5 hour/week preparing tax returns once the VITA season begins.
• Interview taxpayers to gather information and determine eligibility for deductions and tax credits.
• Ensure all income, deductions, and allowable credits are properly reported.
• Prepare only those tax returns covered by their training and certification level.
• Assist taxpayers by answering basic tax-related questions.
• Refer taxpayers with complex tax situations to the IRS, qualified tax professionals, or other appropriate resources. However, student interns should never refer taxpayers to a specific practitioner or firm.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of taxpayer information.
• Ensure that every return receives a quality review.
• Provide taxpayers with a copy of their completed return.
• Adhere to IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct.

Comply with Title VI requirements and provide services without discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, or disability.

Preferred Qualifications

Successful candidates should have:

• Basic computer skills and the ability to enter tax return information accurately.
• The ability to learn and apply basic tax law concepts.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Effective interviewing and information gathering abilities.
• Reliability, flexibility, and professionalism.
• The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• A willingness to volunteer during significant time during the tax season (January through mid-April).

No prior tax preparation experience is required. Training and ongoing support will be provided.

Desired Outcomes

Through participation in the CAPV VITA Internship, students will:

• Apply tax knowledge in a real-world setting.
• Develop professional and interpersonal skills through direct client interaction.
• Gain experience using professional tax preparation software.
• Strengthen problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills.
• Build an understanding of ethical responsibilities in tax preparation.
• Familiarize with large, local social services agency (CAPV).

By the conclusion of the internship, students will demonstrate knowledge and practical experience in customer service skills:

• Interviewing taxpayers
• Communicating effectively with clients
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism
• Working with diverse populations

Students will be familiar with tax law knowledge:

• Determination of Filing Status
• Earned Income Credit (EIC)
• Education Credits
• Interest and Dividend Income
• Schedule C Small Business Income
• Retirement Contributions, including 401(k)s and IRAs
• Retirement Savings Contributions Credit
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Retirement Income Distributions and Related Tax Penalties
• Social Security Benefits (Taxable and Non-Taxable)
• Gambling Income Reporting