The Boston Tax Help Coalition is 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, financial education and asset building opportunities. There are more than 40 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.
• Tax Site Greeters welcome taxpayers to the site, screen tax payer eligibility, manage the flow, and ensure everyone is assisted.

Each volunteer receives training, 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 (one tax shift) from late January through mid-April 2018. 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.

 What’s in it for you? Glad you asked! 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 also 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. That, in itself, is rewarding.

Without the wonderful and dedicated work of our volunteers, the Coalition would not be able to provide these important wealth building services to Boston’s working poor. We need your help! Volunteer registration is open NOW, and training begins in December. 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 Kimberly.Sobrinho@Boston.gov or call: 617-918-5360

To register as a volunteer, please click here.