Volunteer Resources
The IRS requires all volunteers to take their vita certification exam(s) on the IRS Link & Learn website
https://linklearntaxescertification.com/
Every year, the EITC Coalition provides FREE training to volunteers. Additional e-learning and study guides can be accessed on Link & Learn. Volunteers who self-certify are encouraged to use the Link & Learn resources.
Find these courses HERE.
Volunteers must be IRS Certified before they can participate in tax events and volunteer at tax sites. Volunteers must re-certify every year.
which exams must i take?
Each volunteer role requires the following certification exams:
| 2024 Volunteer Standards of Conduct | 2024 Intake/Interview and Quality Review | 2024 Basic Exam | 2024 Advanced Exam | |
| Greeter |
X |
|||
| Intake Specialist |
X |
X | ||
| Basic Tax Preparer |
X |
X | X | |
| Advanced Tax Preparer |
X |
X | X |
*NOTE: The Basic & Advanced Preparer exams require submitting a sample return in the PRACTICE LAB. This is a separate website and requires creating an account, or logging into an existing account. Please email volunteer@refundohio.org if you need help with the PRACTICE LAB, or you can visit the United Way Page HERE
FAQS for certification exams - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5379.pdf
GO TO IRS LINK & LEARN WEBSITE
TRAINING RESOURCES
EITC Coalition training for volunteers has CLOSED for the 2024 Tax Filing Season.
Basic Tax Preparer training will begin December 2024 for the upcoming tax season.
Volunteers can sign up for training by logging into their account through Volunteer Hub. Please email volunteer@refundohio.org if you have trouble accessing your account.
Click here for volunteer hub
Additional guidance and tax practice can be found at Prosperity NOW’s VITA Train. This is a FREE, online training curriculum designed to help volunteers prepare for the IRS Basic Preparer exam.
CLICK HERE to Access prosperity now
Additional Guides & Publications
Volunteers find the IRS resources below to be useful for referencing tax law and/or for completing IRS certification on their own.
PUB 4012: Volunteer Resource Guide
A current year tax law guide and often used to assist tax preparers with completing tax returns
Contains the current tax year certification tests and volunteer standards of conduct form.
Supplemental resource for tax certification trainings.
FORM 13614-C: Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet
Intake form that is required by the IRS to be completed by all taxpayers in order to being the tax filing process.
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) link below for answers to commonly asked questions. Volunteers should email: volunteer@refundohio.org with any related training or volunteer questions not found on this website.
FAQs