In order to recruit volunteers for VITA and TCE, the IRS and community partners have identified a big need for volunteers to fill the gap for the year 2025. The programs offer free tax prep and tax counseling to the groups in need of the service that comprise the elderly, disabled persons, taxpayers, low-and median-income families, and non-English-speaking groups.
For more than 50 years, VITA and TCE volunteers have been helping millions of Americans to file their taxes and to get the maximum credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC. Let us explore this step in detail in this blog.
What Are VITA and TCE Programs?
Let us understand the VITA and TCE programs in detail:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- VITA is a program that provides the necessary help in tax filing for disabled individuals, as well as for those people whose income is below the $62,000 mark and who are members of other worthy groups.
- Such basic types of help can take the form of a simple return, e-filing, or assistance in claiming all eligible filing credits, mainly the Child Tax Credit and the EITC credit.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
- The main focus of TCE programs is on elderly taxpayers, particularly on the matter of pensions and retirement-related tax problems.
- Volunteers from the TCE program offer counseling that is especially geared towards the needy seniors who have multiple sources of income and are in the most difficult situations, which are insufficiently served by paid tax preparation.
- Basically, both VITA and TCE programs aim at cutting down the barriers that exist for at-risk communities in tax compliance, who potentially are left out of important tax credits.
Why Become a VITA/TCE Volunteer?
Here is why you must be a VITA/TCE volunteer:
No Experience Required
- The IRS provides free, specialized training for all volunteers, regardless of previous tax experience or accounting background.
- Training is provided on basic tax law, the use of tax software, and soft skill training for working with different populations.
Acquire Professional Experience
- An opportunity for gainful volunteerism allows the volunteer to accrue real-life experience in tax preparation and customer service, the skills for which can be transferable to many professions.
- The tax professionals volunteering include Enrolled Agents (EAs) and Certified Registered Tax Preparers (CRTPs), who may earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for their participation.
Working Hours and Working Location Are Flexible
- VITA/TCE sites function across the country, giving you the choice of engaging in volunteer work on-site or from home.
- Most sites will accommodate your hours based on your availability during nights and weekends to allow fitting your own social and personal life.
Several Volunteer Activities
- Tax preparation working in concert with a greeter, appointment scheduler, outreach and marketing specialist, IT support, and quality reviewers.
- So this range offers you the potential to volunteer in those areas where you are most comfortable or skilled.
Make a Difference in the Community
- By volunteering, you are giving a vulnerable member of the community access to benefits and services that can dramatically change their financial situation.
- Helping families file their taxes accurately helps families save money while also reducing their risk of being a target of an IRS audit.
Who Can Volunteer?
- Anyone, from high school students, college-age volunteers, working professionals, and retired community members, to experienced professionals in the subject area of taxes.
- The IRS encourages you to use your skills and interests to assist your local community, no matter what stage you are in your career or your level of tax knowledge.
How to Sign Up and Start Volunteering?
- Volunteers who are interested should sign up from October to January for placement during the upcoming tax season.
- Late registrations will still be accepted after January; however, those volunteers will be scheduled for the next filing season.
- Return volunteers typically do not have to register again unless their contact information has changed.
- The sign-up is simple: Go to IRS.gov/volunteers or directly to the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up portal.
- After signing up, volunteers will receive a list of local VITA/TCE sites and an invitation to participate in a virtual orientation about two weeks after signing up.
What Training and Support Does the IRS Provide?
Let us get an idea of the training and support the IRS provides:
Comprehensive Training Program
- Sequential online courses on tax law, software, client communication, and program guidelines.
- Collaborative virtual training sessions enable volunteers to learn freely at their own pace.
Certification Levels
- Volunteers complete exams associated with their volunteer position to ensure quality and compliance in tax preparation.
- Certified volunteers can earn CPE credit where applicable.
Ongoing Support
- Volunteers will continuously be supported by experienced site coordinators and IRS staff during and beyond the filing season.
- Guides and modules will be given to volunteers to stay updated on tax regulations and software updates.
Volunteer Success Stories and Community Impact
Dedicated volunteers are essential for the VITA and TCE programs. Here are some examples of their impact:
- A retired accountant volunteers every week and processes, on average, 50 tax returns each season, returning over $200,000 in credits and refunds to families in the community.
- College students have first-hand experience in professional development and help individuals with limited proficiency in English follow complicated tax credits successfully.
- Local community centers note increased access to financial resources for their patrons due specifically to proactive volunteers in marketing and outreach for the VITA program.
- Volunteering fortifies social ties while also providing economic lift, which is an investment in community growth.
Benefits for Tax Professionals Volunteering
Below are the benefits you will get as a tax professional volunteer:
- Accumulate CPE Credits: In the process of volunteering, EAs, CPAs, and registered preparers earn continuing education credits.
- Broaden Professional Network: Interacting with diverse taxpayers and colleagues develops reputations and skill sets.
- Enhance Reputation: By demonstrating your community involvement, you build trust and goodwill among your clients.
- Grow in Coaching and Leadership Roles: Managing volunteers or leading a specific role allows for the growth of your management experience.
How Volunteering Aligns with Career Development
- Both tax professionals and hobbyists can gain valuable experience from directly encountering changing tax laws and different client scenarios.
- Due to the rewarding experience associated with VITA/TCE, many volunteers become paid preparers.
- Volunteering in tax season can be an avenue to engage volunteers with busy schedules.
What to Expect When Volunteering Virtually
- Contemporary platforms provide the ability to upload documents remotely, offer live video support, and ensure secure communication with clients.
- Virtual volunteers can work from anywhere to enhance the appeal to a younger demographic that is familiar with technology or to volunteers who reside outside urban areas.
- Training related to privacy, security, and confidentiality is stressed among all virtual volunteers to prevent taxpayer data from being exposed.
Tips for First-Time VITA/TCE Volunteers
Follow these tips if you’re a first-time volunteer:
- Allow some time to complete the initial training and certification in full.
- Study the basic tax credits such as the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), the child tax credit, and earned adjustments.
- Participate regularly with other volunteers or coordinators to learn from one another.
- Use patience and empathy; many clients are facing language, economic, or thin knowledge issues.
Helpful Links
- IRS Extends Feedback Period for Form 6765 in 2025
- How Professional Bookkeeping Helps You Stay IRS Audit-Ready
- IRS Interest Rates for Q4 2025: What Taxpayers Need to Know
The IRS is calling on volunteers to help with the VITA and TCE programs. This is a tremendous opportunity to address a significant need in underserved communities and make an impact. All of this is available with no prior experience, flexible hours, and remote options. Volunteering provides an excellent experience for tax professionals and community members.
By volunteering with the program, you will be part of a legacy of service for more than 50 years, providing millions of taxpayers with access to free assistance from experts to maximize their refunds and fulfill their tax obligations. Signing up for volunteer no-cost tax services helps you to help your community, enhance your skills, and earn CPE credits.
Contact The Fino Partners today to receive the latest IRS updates for your business.
