Organizations across the country seeking volunteers to help taxpayers
The IRS and its community partners are seeking people across the country to become volunteers certified by the IRS on their sites for free tax preparation. Volunteers can begin now to join one of these programs that offer valuable taxpayers US aid.
- Voluntary Assistance Program Taxpayers (VITA acronym in English): VITA offers free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers who generally earn $ 55,000 or less.
- Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE, for its acronym in English):TCE is primarily for people 60 years or older. Although the program focuses on the unique tax issues of elderly people, all taxpayers can generally get assistance. AARP participates in the program TCE via Tax-Aide.
Last year, VITA and TCE volunteers prepared more than 3.5 million federal tax returns for qualified no cost taxpayers. Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the page on IRS.gov login .
Many volunteers return year after year to the program. Here are several reasons:
- Volunteers can work flexible hours. Volunteers usually can choose their own hours and days to volunteer. The programs are usually open in mid to late January to the deadline for filing taxes in April. Some sites are even open all year.
- The VITA and TCE sites are often close to home. More than 11,000 sites were established in neighborhoods across the country by 2018. These sites free tax help are found in places such as community centers, libraries, schools and shopping centers.
- No previous experience is needed. Volunteers receive specialized training to be certified by the IRS and can choose from a variety of roles to perform training. Programs VITA and TCE want volunteers from all backgrounds and ages, as well as individuals who speak other languages.
- The IRS provides free training and materials on tax laws.Volunteers receive training materials at no cost. Training on tax law covers how to prepare basic federal tax returns electronically. The training also covers issues such as tax deductions and credits.
- Tax professionals can earn continuing education credits.Enrolled agents and tax preparers can obtain non – accredited continuing education credits by volunteering as an instructor for VITA / TCE, quality reviewer or preparer of tax returns.
More information:
- Programs free tax preparation IRS
- “Link & Learn Taxes”
- Tax Topic 101 : IRS Services – Volunteer Tax Assistance Program Participation, and Identity Theft