Seasonal IRS-Certified Tax Preparer

Working Families, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Campaign for Working Families, Inc. in Philadelphia seeks a Seasonal Tax Associate to interview clients and prepare federal, state, and local returns within VITA/TCE scopes. You will ensure accuracy, document and resolve issues, and obtain required signatures.

You may be an intern or seasonal employee with strict adherence to certification, confidentiality, and program guidelines. Training and on-site support are provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required; Advanced VITA certification preferred.
• Experience with tax software and VITA/TCE programs is a plus.
• Bilingual ability is valued depending on site needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a complete taxpayer interview using IRS intake and 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Refer questions involving legal advice, tax controversy, collection, identity theft, out-of-scope matters, or services beyond the Associate's authority to an approved resource.
• Provide respectful, patient, confidential, equitable, and culturally responsive service without discrimination or judgment.
• Notify the Tax Site Coordinator promptly about complaints, threats, safety issues, suspected coercion, or service barriers.

Skills

IRS-certified

Attention to detail

Interviewing

Communication skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Advanced VITA certification

Tools

Tax software

Job description

Campaign for Working Families, Inc. in Philadelphia seeks a Seasonal Tax Associate to interview clients and prepare federal, state, and local returns within VITA/TCE scopes. You will ensure accuracy, document and resolve issues, and obtain required signatures.

You may be an intern or seasonal employee with strict adherence to certification, confidentiality, and program guidelines. Training and on-site support are provided.