ESL Tax Prep Program

ESL and Tax Prep Program will prepare immigrants who were accountants in their home country to use their skills and experience to become bilingual tax preparers in the US. The program integrates ESL with US tax code training, including learning to use TaxSlayer Software.  

The 10-week program comprises targeted ESL instruction integrated with a Tax Prep curriculum co-taught by an ESL teacher and an accounting teacher. Graduates will earn a Lehman Certificate in Tax Preparation and receive placement into an internship with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs. Students will be supervised during this internship and gain valuable experience working with clients. At the same time, the local community will receive much-needed free tax preparation. At the end of the training, students are prepared to work for a local IRS Enrolled Agent as a tax preparer which sets them on a path for careers in accounting. 

Rationale 

• 58% of Bronx residents speak a language other than English at home according to the US Census Bureau. These households have a real need for bilingual tax preparation.  

• Accountant from abroad often have a strong desire to return to their profession and can master American tax practices and learn tax software provided they can communicate in English. Accountants from abroad are bilingual and bicultural, bringing cultural and linguistic skills that are especially valuable in The Bronx’s diverse business environment. 

• The number of tax preparers is expected to grow by 10.7% between 2016-2026. However, the Bronx has a stronger demand considering both new hires and retirements of existing professionals.