The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free tax return preparation for low and moderate income households meeting specific guidelines. A great deal of our capacity is provided by our dedicated volunteers with support and training provided by our knowledgeable employees, experienced volunteers, and the IRS.
VITA Tax Return volunteers assist clients in the preparation and submission of federal and state tax returns.
VITA ensures that clients get the maximum refund back without having to pay expensive tax prep fees or be subject to predatory refund-anticipation loans.
VITA volunteers are up to the challenge of learning the ins and outs of tax preparation, enjoy puzzling out tax problems collaboratively, and work hard to support our clients in tax filing.
Volunteers can serve as Greeters or Tax Preparers and are asked to commit to:
- participation in virtual training offered starting in November with Greeters having a total of 3-5 hours of content and Tax Preparers having a total of 15-20 hours. Set your own pace and support is readily available.
- completion of an IRS certification exam with support provided by our experienced staff and volunteers.
- a commitment of a minimum of 1 day per week from January to April (about 14 weeks). With flexible scheduling to choose when you will volunteer.
People love volunteering for VITA because they
- help families stay in their homes, put food on the table, and save for the future.
- engage in gratifying volunteer work-interact directly with the people you are helping and see the immediate impact of your work.
- take on a new challenge. Becoming tax certified is a great mental challenge for those who want to learn something new, gain valuable experience in preparing income tax returns and encountering various tax issues.
- develop/refine client counseling skills in a protected environment.
- gain leadership skills, resume experience, and network with others.
What if I'm not a finance/numbers person? It's okay! Training and reference materials are provided, taxes are prepared with easy-to-use software, knowledgeable volunteers and staff are always on hand to help if you have questions, and all returns are quality reviewed for accuracy.
