Last year, more than 58,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) volunteers gave back to their communities by preparing more than 2.2 million federal income tax returns for individuals and families nationwide. These volunteers provided free tax help in communities across the country.
The IRS is recruiting volunteers now for the 2023 filing season.
For more than 50 years, the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs have offered free tax preparation to people with low- to moderate-income that need help preparing their own tax returns.
This includes people with disabilities and senior citizens. Many sites also assist individuals for whom English is a second language, and bilingual volunteers are particularly needed.
Volunteering with these programs is easy and flexible:
- No previous experience is required
- The IRS provides free online tax law training for volunteers
- The programs offer flexible volunteer hours and locations, including some virtual opportunities
- Volunteers can pick from various roles, depending on their interest and experience
- Tax professionals like enrolled agents and accountants, can earn CPE credits
- Volunteers with certain professional statuses can earn continuing education credits by completing the required tax law training certifications via Link and Learn Taxes and serving as a volunteer instructor, tax return preparer or quality reviewer in the VITA or TCE programs
Some program sites now have online volunteering opportunities. Volunteers at some sites can now help taxpayers over the phone or online, providing additional flexibility and convenience to volunteers and taxpayers. In person program sites are usually located in places like community centers, libraries, schools and churches.
Once potential volunteers express interest, the IRS will send them an invitation to a virtual orientation session where they will learn more about the program.