Earn While you Learn with Tulsa Responds Tax Preparer Paid Internship
Are you looking to gain valuable work experience? The Tulsa Responds Free Tax Filing team is preparing to offer free tax preparation services to our community from January through April 2025. We're seeking dedicated interns to join our program and assist low-income Tulsans in filing their tax returns at no cost. No prior tax experience is required!
Last season, our interns helped us file over 2,700 tax returns, resulting in more than $3 million in refunds for the Tulsa community—all at no cost! Join us next year and be part of this positive impact.
Our goal is to ensure that eligible families can access as many of these benefits as possible, in as few appointments as possible, making the enrollment process easy and hassle-free.
Wondering if you're a good fit? Here's All You Need to Know
If you like problem-solving, have a logical mind, enjoy helping others, or need relevant tax experience, this Tax Preparer Internship is perfect for you!
Who should apply? While anyone is welcome to apply, this opportunity is especially beneficial for students in Accounting, Business, Finance, or Social Work programs. We provide comprehensive training and support to ensure you're fully prepared to make a positive impact.
Why should you apply? To enhance your resume, gain real-world experience, and become IRS-certified while earning compensation—all while giving back to the Tulsa community.
When and where would I intern? You would intern at one or multiple of our tax sites located across North, South, East Tulsa, and Downtown, with consideration given to your location(s) preference. Our flexible hours of operation ensure that we can schedule your internship around your class schedule, allowing you to work at a time that suits you best.
Some important dates to keep in mind:
- October 11th, 2024: internship application deadline
- January 13th-16th, 2025*: intern paid training
- February 3rd, 2025: tax season starts
- April 15th, 2025: tax season ends
- April 18th, 2025*: end-of-season intern recognition ceremony
*dates subject to change
Fill in our interest form to get started today!
More about the role Intern Responsibilities
As an intern at Tulsa Responds, you will be trained and certified to assist with all aspects of our tax site operations, from client intake and interviews to tax preparation and addressing miscellaneous client needs. You'll work closely with a team and the Site Coordinator to ensure a smooth process for each client.
On-Site Responsibilities
Intake & Interview
- Greet clients and explain the site process.
- Verify clients' documentation, identification, and eligibility based on IRS guidelines for the VITA program.
- Conduct interviews using Tulsa Responds materials.
- Assist clients with paperwork (Form 13614-C).
- Check clients in and, if needed, schedule or reschedule appointments.
Tax Preparation & Benefit Screening
- Prepare tax returns using TaxSlayer.
- Consult Publication 4012 or the Site.
- Coordinator if necessary.
- Screen clients for additional benefits using Tulsa Responds software.
- Make appointments and referrals for clients.
- Review prepared returns for accuracy.
- Have clients sign the return, print it out, and transmit it.
Advocate for Clients in Other Ways
- Assist clients in retrieving materials needed for tax preparation.
- Navigate IRS.gov and ID.me to help clients obtain Identity Protection PINs and set up payment plans.
- Call the Health Insurance Marketplace for clients' 1095-A forms.
- Contact employers and payers to retrieve income documents and other tax forms.
- Help Site Coordinators with tax return reject resolution.
- Assist clients in opening affordable bank accounts for direct deposit of refunds.
- Make appointments and referrals for clients.
Note: Interns will progressively handle Quality Review responsibilities towards the end of the tax season, based on demonstrated competency in Tax Preparation.
Financial Empowerment Center Unlock Your Financial Potential with Tulsa Responds
We believe that financial empowerment is a fundamental right for every Tulsan, regardless of income or immigration status. We've partnered with the City of Tulsa and the Mayor's Office of Economic Resiliency to offer you our Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) - a game-changer on your path to economic stability and a brighter financial future.
No-Cost Counseling
Professional & confidential one-on-one counseling.
Work with Experts
Meet with highly trained counselors as many times as you like.
Identify Your Goals
Find your immediate and long-term financial goals.
Build an Action Plan
Customize a path to meet your financial goals
Whether you're looking to manage your money more effectively, create a budget that works for you, pay down debt, increase your savings, establish and build credit, or even open a safe and affordable bank or credit union account, our counselors have got you covered.
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER How Can We Help?
Budgeting
Craft a realistic budget to achieve your dreams, from building emergency savings to purchasing a car.
Credit Improvement
Enhance your credit score with our counselors' expertise, including free credit report checks and dispute resolution.
Debt Management
Create a tailored debt repayment plan and resolve delinquent accounts.
Student Loans
Review your loans and explore repayment and refinancing options.
College Planning
Secure your educational future with guidance on budgeting, savings, and student loans.
Bankruptcy Navigation
Understand the bankruptcy process and its potential impacts on your financial situation.
Homeownership
Set your sights on owning a home by improving your credit, paying off debt, and building savings.
Retirement Planning
Prepare for a comfortable retirement with insights on common retirement vehicles and finding financial planners.