Seasonal Tax Associate

Job DescriptionJob Description

THIS POSITION IS FOR THE 2027 TAX SEASON BEGINNING IN JANUARY

Overview Campaign For Working Families

Campaign for Working Families, Inc. (CWF) champions the financial well-being and economic mobility of individuals and families through programs, advocacy, initiatives, and support systems that promote equitable opportunity and financial stability. CWF believes every individual and family deserves respect, dignity, and access to the tools and information needed to succeed. CWF advances positive change at the policy and grassroots levels through empathy, data-driven decision-making, and collective action. The following core values guide CWF's mission, goals, and service to individuals and families throughout its communities:

• Equity and Inclusion: We believe all individuals and families, regardless of background, race, gender, or socioeconomic status, should have equitable opportunities and access to resources.
• Family-Centered Approach: We prioritize policies and initiatives that support family well-being, stability, and growth, recognizing that strong families are the foundation of thriving communities.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: We value collaboration with organizations, government agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals who share our commitment to working families.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: We use evidence and data to guide policies, programs, and operational decisions, ensuring that our efforts are effective and impactful.
• Respect and Dignity: We treat every individual with respect and dignity, recognize each person's inherent worth, and work to create systems that uphold these values.

Position Summary

 The Tax Associate is an IRS-certified seasonal tax preparer responsible for interviewing clients and preparing accurate federal, state, and local individual income-tax returns within the Associate's certification level, CWF's approved service scope, and IRS VITA/TCE requirements. The Associate reviews source documents and intake responses, asks required follow-up questions, enters information accurately in approved tax software, explains the preparation process, documents relevant facts, submits every return for independent quality review, corrects identified errors, and supports required signatures and client follow-up. The Tax Associate may be an intern, volunteer, or seasonal employee; all individuals performing this function are held to the same certification, confidentiality, conduct, and quality standards.

Role and ResponsibilitiesTaxpayer Interview and Return Preparation

• Conduct a complete taxpayer interview using the current IRS intake and interview form, source documents, prior-year information when relevant, and required follow-up questions.
• Verify identity information, filing status, household members, dependency facts, income, expenses, adjustments, deductions, credits, health-coverage items, banking information, and state or local filing requirements.
• Prepare accurate federal, state, and local returns in approved tax software only within current certification and CWF service scope.
• Reconcile tax documents to software entries, review diagnostics and warnings, document material facts or unresolved items, and complete an initial self-review before quality review.
• Pause preparation and seek guidance when facts are unclear, documents conflict, the taxpayer cannot support a position, or the return may be outside program scope.
• Never omit information, create documents, estimate unsupported amounts, direct a refund to an unauthorized account, or promise a refund, credit, acceptance, or processing timeline.

Quality Review and Corrections

• Submit every completed return and all supporting documents for independent review by an authorized Senior Tax Analyst or other designated quality reviewer.
• Respond professionally to reviewer questions, correct errors completely, update notes when required, and return the corrected work for final approval.
• Do not present a return as final, obtain final signatures, release documents, or advance the return for transmission until required quality review is complete.
• Learn from correction patterns, participate in coaching or refresher training, and apply updated guidance consistently.
• Assist with rejected-return or incomplete-return follow-up only when assigned and supervised through approved procedures.

Taxpayer Communication and Service

• Explain the preparation process, ask sensitive questions respectfully, and communicate in clear language appropriate to the taxpayer's needs.
• Review major return results with the taxpayer as assigned, confirm banking and contact information, and explain required signatures, copies, records retention, and next steps.
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