The Internal Revenue Service is seeking volunteers and community partners to support its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, which provide free tax preparation services during the upcoming filing season.
In 2026, more than 84,500 volunteers helped taxpayers file nearly 2.9 million tax returns at no cost, the IRS said.
"Volunteers and community partners provide essential assistance to help taxpayers meet their tax obligations," said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. "By giving their time, expertise and local support, VITA and TCE volunteers help expand access to free, trusted tax preparation services and strengthen taxpayer service in communities across the country."
No experience is necessary to volunteer. The IRS provides free training for a variety of roles based on volunteers' skills, interests or available time. Volunteers range from students to retirees and serve taxpayers including seniors, taxpayers with disabilities and residents of rural communities. Opportunities may include flexible hours and virtual options, depending on the site.
The IRS also depends on community partnerships to reach underserved taxpayers. Last year, approximately 9,000 VITA/TCE sites were hosted by schools, nonprofits, financial institutions, faith-based groups and other organizations.
Individuals and organizations can submit the VITA/TCE volunteer and partner sign up form. Organizations will be contacted by an IRS relationship manager, while volunteers will receive a list of local sites and an invitation to a virtual orientation about 14 days after submitting interest. The IRS encourages signing up from October through January.