Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program sponsored by the IRS to help low and moderate-income individuals file their taxes each year. VITA sites are operated by IRS-certified volunteers and located at community centers, neighborhood and church groups, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program provides free basic tax return preparation with electronic filing and specialized services to people 60 and older.

Each tax season volunteers come together to provide free tax assistance at nearly 5,000 sites nationwide through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. These sites, which are staffed by trained, IRS-certified volunteers, prepare and file federal and state tax returns for eligible families earning $58,000 or less. All returns are checked for accuracy by a second volunteer using an IRS-approved quality review process.

VITA Programs Around the U.S.

Food Bank operates a citywide VITA program to help New York City residents file their taxes at locations across the city. They partner with local organizations to operate the in-person VITA service, and volunteers are provided with comprehensive training and support throughout the filing season to prepare and file federal, state, and city returns for their clients.

The Food Bank provides VITA and Tax-Aide services to Bronx residents with a household income of $56,000 or less (single filers) and $80,000 or less (families). In addition to offering in-person tax preparation at their sites, they offer virtual VITA appointments to those who cannot come to our physical centers. Their virtual preparers can answer questions and submit returns electronically from home or work. Tax documents are submitted via a secure online system during a virtual appointment, and the preparers call the client to discuss them.

In partnership with the IRS, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free basic income tax return preparation and electronic filing to individuals aged 50 and over with low to moderate income at more than 7,000 sites nationwide. This service is provided by trained, IRS-certified AARP volunteers who are committed to the highest levels of accuracy and efficiency.

Northern Virginia CASH recruits, trains, and supports volunteer tax preparers at sites throughout the region. Volunteers at these sites help about 4,000 families maximize their refunds and avoid costly business fees each year.

Military members, including retirees, are eligible to use VITA programs to file their taxes for free. They can receive tax assistance at military installations and through VITA partnerships with the Military OneSource MilTax program. The IRS-sponsored VITA program provides prep classes, training, certification, and a software system to enable participants to file their taxes.