The Internal Revenue Service is seeking volunteers and community partners for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs ahead of the next filing season. The programs provide free return preparation for eligible taxpayers.
In its October 1 announcement, the agency said more than 84,500 volunteers helped prepare nearly 2.9 million returns at no cost in 2026. Approximately 9,000 sites were hosted by schools, nonprofits, financial institutions, faith organizations and other community partners.
No experience is necessary to express interest, the IRS says. Free training is available for roles matched to a volunteer’s skills, interests and time. Participants range from students to retirees and may serve older taxpayers, people with disabilities and rural residents.
Flexible hours and virtual opportunities depend on the local site. That qualification matters: the national recruitment announcement does not establish that every community has the same vacancies, schedule or remote-work option.
Interested people and organizations can use the VITA/TCE volunteer and partner sign-up form linked in the IRS announcement. Prospective volunteers are to receive local site information and an invitation to a virtual orientation approximately 14 days after expressing interest.
The agency encourages volunteer sign-ups from October through January. Organizations interested in hosting or sponsoring a site can be contacted by an IRS relationship manager to discuss next steps. Applicants should use the official program process to identify a participating site serving their area.
