Volunteers Sought for IRS Tax Preparation Programs

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are looking for volunteers and additional partner organizations to help prepare federal income tax returns in communities across Northern Ohio.

VITA and TCE volunteers provide free tax preparation for seniors, military personnel and taxpayers with low- to moderate-incomes (generally, less than $50,000) who need help filing their tax returns. VITA and TCE sites are typically located in community centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations and are normally open evenings and weekends during the tax filing season. 

The recruitment effort in counties across Northern Ohio actively kicks off on Oct. 11, with a special event for federal workers inCleveland.  A follow-on local recruiting event is scheduled for Oct. 18.

VITA and TCE volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds, and include professionals, retirees, college students, IRS employees and others motivated by a desire to help their communities.  Prior tax preparation training is not required – partnering with local nonprofit, community and governmental organizations, the IRS provides free training and all needed materials to volunteers.  

A variety of volunteer positions are available, to include tax preparers, greeters, recruiters and equipment coordinators. 

Training classes usually start in December and January.  Training and certification are conducted at convenient locations throughout the state and online.  

More than 88,000 volunteers made a difference by preparing 3 million-plus returns at thousands of sites nationwide earlier this year. That figure includes hundreds of Ohio volunteers in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Geauga, Lake, Mahoning, Erie, Lucas, and other northern counties.  

The volunteers put their tax knowledge to use, helping community taxpayers reduce their tax liability by identifying and claiming tax credits and deductions that might otherwise have been overlooked, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).