United Way of King County Tax Volunteer
Every year, United Way volunteers help thousands of low to middle-income community members prepare their taxes. For many clients, tax credits and refunds are critical to keeping food on the table, their car repaired, and a roof overhead.
How It Works
From January 21st to April 20th, 2025, volunteer-powered tax sites will offer free, walk-in tax preparation at locations across King County. As a volunteer, you can pick the time and location that works best for your schedule; you would serve at the same time and place for 13 weeks with other volunteers, both from Microsoft and the greater community.
There are two roles to choose from at our tax sites: intake and tax preparation.
• Intake: This position does not involve tax preparation. Your role will be to “start the conversation” with every client who enters the tax site, making sure they feel welcome and are ready for tax prep. This is a great role for folks who have teenagers or a spouse who may want to join your volunteer shift!
• Tax Preparer: Volunteer tax preparers use IRS approved software to e-file tax returns, making sure taxpayers receive all the credits and refunds they are entitled to.
In 2024, each individual volunteer generated an average of $30,648 in refunds. That’s $442 back into the community for each hour volunteered!
What It Takes
Training: While it is helpful, you do not need any prior knowledge or training to volunteer. United Way will train you on tax preparation with a combination of a two-day in-person tax training, online supplemental resources, and onsite learning opportunities with tax site managers and other experienced volunteers. For intake, the training is a half-day.
Time commitment: United Way asks that volunteers commit to at least 1 shift per week for the duration of the tax season (from 1/21/2025 – 4/20/2025). Tax shifts are typically between 3.5 – 4 hours long.