Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparer

Program Description

The Financial Empowerment and Wellbeing Program is offered to racialized and equity deserving low-income individuals and families. It supports participants with financial literacy and wellbeing through individualized counselling, group workshops, tax clinics and self-learning digital platforms.

The Community Tax Preparer volunteer is a trained and dedicated individual who offers free tax preparation services to low-income/racialized and equity-deserving individuals and families in the community. The main goal of these volunteers is to help community members claim credits and deductions. The volunteers are trained and certified by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) through their Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). The volunteer must ensure confidentiality, integrity, and privacy of the client’s personal information.

Major Duties

Major Duties May Include:

• Completes CRA training to understand the importance of confidentiality, and gain knowledge on how to accurately file individual taxes.
• Provides guidance and clarity to clients regarding their role as a volunteer, YMCA and CVITP guidelines, confidentiality and offering resources where applicable.
• Maintains confidentiality, integrity, and privacy of client’s personal information.
• Meets with clients to collect tax-related information and documentation; returns all documents and information to client after the appointment.
• Calculates and files taxes owed or refunds due to clients.
• Provides a general overview and summary to clients so they understand what to expect after taxes have been filed.
• Ensures that tax returns are accurate and complete.
• Stays current on changes to tax laws and regulations.
• Communicates with the CRA and provincial tax authorities as needed.
• Returns all documents and information to client after the appointment.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 18.
• Successful applicants to this role will need to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening from their local police service before their first day of volunteering and every three years on the anniversary of their first day of volunteering.
• Must have a valid social insurance number and have filed at least one tax return in Canada.
• Basic understanding of tax laws and regulations and computer literacy.
• A commitment to serving low-income individuals and families in the community.
• Experience preparing tax returns and/or willingness to undergo the required training to become a CVITP volunteer.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Post-secondary education in accounting or finance is an asset.

Benefits

• Make a positive impact in the lives low-income/racialized and equity-deserving individuals and families in the community.
• Develop experience in accounting and customer service.
• Gain access to professional and personal development training opportunities within the YMCA.
• Learn about diversity at the YMCA and meet new people from all walks of life.
• Be a part of the YMCA team and promote the YMCA Mission, Vision and Values.

How to apply

Complete the online volunteer application. You will need to provide the position title and location information of this position during step 3 of the application.

Looking for a Different Role?

Check out the full list of our volunteer opportunities.

Why Volunteer for the Y?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great place to volunteer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. Guided by our shared values — kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism — the YMCA provides thousands of volunteers with meaningful positions and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities.

Our Commitments

The YMCA of Greater Toronto values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association.

We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

About YMCA of Greater Toronto

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. As outlined in our 2020–2025 strategic plan, Ignite the Light, we are focused on boosting well-being and promoting equity across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In the future we see for our region, everyone will have opportunities to shine their brightest.

Mirroring the diversity we’re privileged to have in the GTA, our YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of our communities. For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. When you donate to the YMCA of Greater Toronto, you help ensure more people get access to these vital programs that help them connect, grow, and reach their full potential.