All Volunteers Certification Course (In-Person)
All Saturday sessions
Session 1: January 10, 2026
Session 2: January 17, 2026
Session 3: January 24, 2026
Please plan to attend all 3 sessions to receive the training and information necessary to certify.
Description
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides income tax assistance to individuals and families in our community. No tax experience is necessary. We will train you! All volunteers will earn certification through these training seminars.
What Will I Do?
Tax Preparer responsibilities include:
- Prepare tax returns for taxpayers who qualify for free tax assistance. Tax returns are typically a simple 1040.
- Volunteers will certify at the Advanced Level but are welcomed to participate in further training to certify at additional levels, if they so desire.
- Answer basic taxpayer questions and refer taxpayers for additional assistance as necessary to local the IRS office, Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC), etc.
- Inform clients about other services available through
RealSense and our partners.
In order to provide the highest level of service to
clients, Tax Preparers must be IRS-certified, either through a series of
classroom training sessions, or online. Tax Preparers must pass the IRS
Volunteer Standards of Conduct and the Intake and Interview Quality Review
test. In addition, volunteer Tax Preparers are asked to commit to
serving a minimum of 40 hours during the January – April tax
season.
If you find that you are unable to
attend the training session, please let us know within 48 hours so we can open
space for someone else to attend. Kindly log into your profile to de-select the
training from your schedule. If you have any questions, feel free to contact
the RealSense Program and Services Coordinator: Aretha Franklin at
arethaf@uwnefl.org or 904-348-7577 or the RealSense Tax Program Manager: Steve
Norris at steven@uwnefl.org or 904-390-3250. Dates/Times may change, check back
often for the up to date information.
