Free File Volunteers

A female Free File volunteer helps another woman with her taxes

Free File Volunteers are Superheroes to those they serve. In a typical tax season, about 60 community volunteers complete IRS certification training and prepare over 1,500 tax returns for individuals and families with an average income of approximately $20,000.

Free File could not happen without an amazing team of volunteers. Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
  • Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
  • Tax Preparer for Foreign Student Taxes: Meeting with international Clemson University students to gather information, review documentation and prepare foreign student tax returns.
  • Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
  • Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Learn More

Join us for one of four information sessions in October:

  • Wednesday, October 4, 1:00-1:45 p.m. at the Central-Clemson Library Meeting Room (105 Commons Way, Central, SC 29630)
  • Thursday, October 12, 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Hampton Memorial Library Meeting Room (304 Biltmore Road, Easley, SC 29640)
  • Thursday, October 19, 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Sarlin Library Meeting Room (15 S. Palmetto Street, Liberty, SC 29657)
  • Monday, October 23, 5:00-5:45 p.m. at the Village Library Meeting Room (124 N. Catherine Street, Pickens, SC 29671)
Register Now

You can also click the headings below to learn more about each volunteer opportunity.

Free File Intake Coordinators often have the first interaction with the taxpayer. Intake Coordinators are helpful, kind, and provide basic direction. They greet taxpayers as they arrive and ensure that the taxpayer has the necessary documents to complete their return, ask them to sign in, and show them where to go next.

Requirements:

Intake Coordinators must complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct and the Intake Interview & Quality Review Training. All volunteers must also submit a signed volunteer agreement.

Learn More:

Download the Free File Intake Coordinator Guide to learn more.

Apply Now:
Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
Foreign Student Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation and preparing tax returns for non-resident students at Clemson University.
Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Free File Tax Preparers provide a valuable service to the taxpayer. Tax preparers can provide basic education and assistance to the taxpayer. Volunteer Tax Preparers utilize the electronic tax software to prepare returns for eligible resident taxpayers.

Requirements:

All Pickens County Free File Volunteer Tax Preparers must certify at the advanced level. Volunteer Tax Preparers must complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct, the Intake Interview & Quality Review Training, and the Advanced Exam Certifications. When certifying in Advanced, Basic Certification, is NOT necessary. All volunteers must also submit a signed volunteer agreement.

Learn More:

Download the Free File Tax Preparer Guide to learn more.

Apply Now:
Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
Foreign Student Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation and preparing tax returns for non-resident students at Clemson University.
Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Volunteer Tax Preparers for Foreign Student Taxes provide a valuable service to international students who don't often have access to free tax preparation. Tax Preparers utilize the electronic tax software to prepare returns for eligible non-resident taxpayers.

Requirements:

Tax Preparers for Foreign Student Taxes must complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct, the Intake Interview & Quality Review Training, and the Foreign Student Tax Exam Certifications. All volunteers must also submit a signed volunteer agreement.

Learn More:

Download the Foreign Student Tax Preparer Guide to learn more. 

Apply Now:
Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
Foreign Student Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation and preparing tax returns for non-resident students at Clemson University.
Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Free File Site Coordinators manage the tax site. Site Coordinators quality review all tax returns and assist other volunteers as needed. Site Coordinators maintain schedules for all volunteers to encourage coverage, ensure supplies and equipment needed are at the site, and resolve any issues that arise. The Site Coordinator is also responsible for quality reviewing all prepared taxes, printing, and reviewing the documents with the taxpayer. Site Coordinators are responsible for making sure all prepared taxes are filed and that rejected returns are corrected and refiled in a timely manner.

Requirements:

Site Coordinators have four certification requirements (Step 2) Volunteer Standards of Conduct, the Intake Interview & Quality Review Training, the Advanced Exam, and the Site Coordinator Certification. Site Coordinators are also required to attend a separate Site Coordinator Training. All volunteers must also submit a signed volunteer agreement.

Learn More:

Download the Free File Site Coordinator Guide to learn more.

Apply Now:
Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
Foreign Student Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation and preparing tax returns for non-resident students at Clemson University.
Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Volunteer Interpreters provide a valuable service to tax payers who have limited English speaking abilities or use sign language to communicate. Interpreters are needed for ASL, Spanish and other languages to assist our resident, non-resident and refugee taxpayers.

Requirements:

All volunteers must complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct and the Intake Interview & Quality Review Training. All volunteers must also submit a signed volunteer agreement.

Learn More:

Download the Free File Interpreter Guide to learn more. 

Apply Now:
Intake Coordinator: Welcoming taxpayers and overseeing the sign-in process. Conducting the initial screening of taxpayers.
Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation, and preparing tax returns.
Foreign Student Tax Preparer: Meeting with the taxpayer to gather information, reviewing documentation and preparing tax returns for non-resident students at Clemson University.
Site Coordinator: Managing the Free File site and volunteers. Providing support, answering questions, and providing quality review of tax returns.
Interpreter: Assisting tax payers who have limited English proficiency. ASL, Spanish and various other language interpreters are needed for our resident, non-resident, and refugee taxpayers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out even more about volunteering with Free File by visiting the FAQ Page.

Apply Now

Ready to become a Free File Volunteer? Click the link below to apply for any of the Free File volunteer positions.

Questions?

For more information, contact Nicole Zeiset, 864-850-7094 x131.