Tax Quality Reviewer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Quality Reviewer -Seasonal-Various Bronx Locations

Program: Vita Tax Program

Reports to: Tax Program Site Coordinator

Salary: $22.00 per hour

Posted: October 1, 2024

Start Date: January 2025

Part-Time or Full- Time Seasonal Quality Reviewer- VITA Tax Program

About Ariva

Ariva helps residents of New York City build financially empowered and prosperous lives. Our mission is to bring economic justice, opportunity and inclusion to our Bronx neighbors and other underserved New Yorkers. We offer free income tax preparation assistance and comprehensive financial capabilities services at locations across New York City. Information on our projects and programs can be found at www.ariva.org

Our goal is to understand the needs and experiences of the people we serve. Our staff, volunteers, and community partners offer honesty, reliability, care, and kindness in every interaction with our clients.

If our work and culture are a fit for you, we urge you to join our team next tax season!

Tax Program

We are the top free tax preparation community-based organization in the Bronx, with 12 sites, including three year-round locations. We help eligible New York City residents file their tax returns and claim credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Since 2003, we have prepared free tax returns for more than 137,000 clients, returning over $227 million in total refunds to underserved communities.

All of Ariva’s tax program staff and volunteers are IRS-certified. All of our tax sites are sponsored by the IRS VITA program.

We are now actively recruiting experienced tax staff to work with us in the 2025 filing season. We need staff all days of the week, including evenings and weekends, and can offer interested candidates hours that suit their schedule.

Position Description

An integral part of our tax team, the quality reviewer is responsible for ensuring that the tax return is error-free and for clients to receive what they are entitled. Face-to-face, in-person service is an essential component of this position, a quality reviewer staff work in person at one of our offices. All staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and follow our health and safety procedures in our offices.

Responsibilities

Quality Review:

Using IRS approved software (currently Tax slayer), complete accurate quality review of individual Federal and State tax returns in an efficient and professional manner and as required by the rules of the VITA program:

• Ensure all returns are prepared within scope of preparer’s certification.
• Ensure intake process was performed completely and accurately.
• Interview client to determine all appropriate income, deductions and credits are reported on the return.
• Interview filer in person or by video conference.
• Verify that filer’s personal information (name, social security) is reported accurately on the return.
• Verify that banking information on the return matches the direct deposit form completed by the client.
• Request E-signature on e-file authorization forms.
• Ensure authorization forms are signed for e-signature as required before selecting return for E-file.
• Verify client received a copy of completed return in person or by email.
• At all times, adhere to IRS standards of conduct, including but not limited to, protecting client privacy and confidentiality.

Other Responsibilities:

• Follow health and safety procedures
• Ensure the site and its visitors follow safety plans.

Tax Return Preparation:

During particularly busy periods, Quality Reviewers, in addition to undertaking quality review of other preparers’ returns, may themselves be expected to prepare returns if the workflow requires it.

Core Competencies:

• A college degree is not required, but you must pass IRS Intake, Standards of Conduct, and Advance Tax Law online exams. (Ariva will provide free training.)
• At least two years’ experience- paid or volunteer- in personal income tax preparation
• Must pass all IRS required trainings including IRS certification exam at the Advanced level
• Knowledgeable about IRS VITA site tax preparation requirements (staff are trained in these requirements)
• Must be responsible, reliable and punctual. It is critical that staff come to work on time and as scheduled.
• Must present a highly professional appearance and demeanor; must adhere at all times to Ariva’s dress code (business casual)
• Excellent computer skills for inputting tax return information and communicating with clients remotely
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Detail oriented
• Good customer service skills, assisting all taxpayers in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly desirable
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

Schedule: This seasonal position requires some availability for training in early January. Regular work hours will begin in mid-January and end in late April. We have multiple sites with shifts available weekdays, day and evening, as well as Saturday daytime shifts.

To Apply: Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Maribel Montilla at mmontilla@ariva.org.

"Ariva is an Equal Opportunity Employer"