Be an IRS-Certified Tax Preparer
Our network agencies are always looking for community volunteers to provide free tax preparation and help to their neighbors and other area residents. Helping in either the VITA or TCE programs can be rewarding while serving a vital role in your local community.  
 
The IRS sponsors VITA and TCE programs. These two programs offer free tax help to people with low-to-moderate incomes, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency and Native Americans. Last year, across the Ozarks, over 80 volunteers prepared more than 6,500 federal tax returns for all types of taxpayers at no cost.

Don’t know that much about taxes? Don’t worry — you’ll get specialized training or you can choose a volunteer role that doesn’t require tax law certification. The hours are flexible, the training is free and the time commitment is up to you.

Here are some of the volunteer roles needed at free tax preparation sites:

Appointment Setter - The VITA/TCE programs receive more than 100 inquires per day by telephone during tax season. Having a full support team to help field those calls is vital to our success. If you have a great personality, excellent communications skills, and are patient this is an excellent role for you!

Site Greeter – You greet everyone visiting the site to create a pleasant atmosphere. You screen taxpayers to determine the type of assistance they need and confirm they have the necessary documents to complete their tax returns. Tax law certification is not required for this position.

Tax Preparer – You complete and successfully certify in tax law training, including the use of electronic filing software, to provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers.

Site Coordinator – You have excellent organizational and leadership skills.  You are the primary resource for sharing your knowledge of the program and are available to assist with any issues that may arise. You develop and maintain schedules for all volunteers to ensure adequate coverage, supplies and equipment at your site. Tax law certification is not always required for this position.
Taxpayers who volunteer are joining a program that has helped millions of people file tax returns at no cost for more than 50 years throughout the United States. Taxpayers who volunteer make a difference. This is people helping people and it's that simple.

To become a VITA or TCE tax volunteer, fill out the form on the right of this page or visit the sign up section of the IRS website.

    If you are interested in volunteering with the the VITA/TCE program, please complete this form and an ATLS representative will contact you.

Top Five Reasons To Volunteer With VITA/TCE
Tax volunteers make a difference in their community. Here are five reasons to become a VITA/TCE tax volunteer:
  1. Flexible hours. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to five hours per week. The programs are usually open from mid-to-late-January through the tax filing deadline in April with a few sites open all year.
  2. VITA/TCE sites are often nearby. Over 25 sites were set up in neighborhoods within 17 counties in southern Missouri this past filing season. These free tax help sites are located in nearby community centers, libraries, financial institutions, churches and other similar areas with flexible hours.
  3. No prior experience needed. This is probably the most important point! Volunteers receive specialized training and often serve in a variety of roles. VITA/TCE programs want volunteers of all backgrounds and ages as well as individuals who are fluent in another language.
  4. Free tax law training and materials. Tax volunteers receive training materials at no charge. The tax law training covers preparing basic federal tax returns electronically and learning about tax deductions, credits and allowable expenses that benefit eligible taxpayers.
  5. Continuing education credits for tax pros. Enrolled Agents and non-credentialed tax return preparers can earn continuing education credits when volunteering as a VITA/TCE instructor, quality reviewer or tax return preparer. Go to this IRS Fact Sheet for more information on Continuing Education Credits.