Tax AID DABC is Seeking Volunteer Tax Preparers

Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research, and publications.

Our mission: to support people, with all disabilities, to live with dignity, independence, and as equal and full participants in the community.

Program Description

Tax AID DABC partners with the Together Against Poverty Society, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, and the Active Support Against Poverty Society, to provide free support to people with disabilities across BC to file their taxes.

Job Description

DABC is seeking several volunteers who are passionate about community work to join our Tax AID program, year-round. Volunteers will work one-on-one to assist people with disabilities with their income taxes, with supervision of the Senior Tax Advocate. Volunteers will work remotely and will be able to set their own schedule.

Skills and Assets

Successful Volunteers must have:

• 2+ years of experience with client tax filling, including self-employment taxes
• Good computer and technology skills; (Microsoft Office Suite, experience working with UFile is an asset)
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• A strong desire to help and serve our community of people with disabilities
• An ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Successful Volunteers must also be able to:

• Pass a Criminal Record Check
• Obtain an EFILE number (personal tax filings are current; no outstanding tax debt; not in bankruptcy)

Duties

• Complete income tax returns in accordance with Revenue Canada guidelines
• Report questions or concerns to the Income Tax Clinic supervisor

Benefits of Volunteering

• Help individuals get or maintain uninterrupted access to benefits and credits
• Give back to the community
• Increase personal tax knowledge
• Gain new skills and improve existing ones
• Receive training, support, and reference materials including free tax software

Training and Orientation

• Orientation to Tax AID DABC programs, policies, and procedures
• Canada Revenue Agency online webinars
• Virtual supervision by Income Tax Clinic supervisor

Application Deadline: rolling application until all spots are filled

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in applying, please submit a resume to Cynthia Minh, Director, Tax AID, cynthia@disabilityalliancebc.org (Please indicate “Volunteer Tax Preparer” in the email subject line).

We're seeking volunteer receptionists!

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is seeking passionate and motivated volunteers to support our front-desk reception as we work to bring back our advocacy work in-person at our office in downtown Vancouver. DABC is a provincial, cross-disability non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications. 

Our reception volunteers are often the first face or voice that a client interacts with when connecting with DABC. They exhibit an empathetic and professional attitude and respond to inquiries about our services. DABC provides a variety of services that assist clients with applying for provincial and federal disability benefits, Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, tax filings and tax credits, legal aid, and wheelchair accessible housing. Reception volunteers will be trained and mentored on an ongoing basis through regular supervision from the Advocacy Access Administrative Assistant, Advocacy Access Program Manager and the Access RDSP Program Manager. All of our current reception volunteers have lived experience with a disability.  

Our Reception Volunteers: 

• Respond to client inquiries over the phone, email and in-person 

• Screen clients for eligibility of our services and conduct intake of client contact information for our waitlists 
• Keep detailed and accurate records of visitor requests/calls 

Reception Volunteers should have the following skills and qualifications: 

• Be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook  
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language 
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and staff across many diverse backgrounds 
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently 
• Maintain a professional, respectful and empathetic demeanor with clients and have the ability to manage client expectations as it relates to the capacity and scope of DABC’s services 

The following are strong assets for this position: 

• Lived experience with disability 
• Lived experience with provincial disability benefits (PWD/PPMB) 
• Experience in the non-profit sector 
• Experience supporting people with disabilities 
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources available to people with disabilities 

Volunteers will receive a small monthly honourarium for their contribution to DABC’s advocacy work.  

Hours Per Week: 1-2 shifts per week (each shift is 4 hours) 

100% of DABC’s staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the clients that DABC serves have medical conditions which make them vulnerable and more susceptible to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and so it is vital that DABC strives to protect our clients from risk of transmission. It is DABC’s policy to request that all volunteers be fully vaccinated.  

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. 

To Apply: Please send an email expressing your interest with the subject line “Volunteer Application”, along with a resume to advocacy@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please.