Federal officials are seeking volunteers in Mississippi for two Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiatives.
The IRS needs helpers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs ahead of the upcoming filing season. Each year, thousands of volunteers help their communities and gain professional experience in the process. Volunteers often include students, tax professionals, retirees, and those looking to be community servants.
VITA/TCE sites can be found nationwide. Volunteers offering the services prepare millions of tax returns each year for low-to-moderate-income taxpayers at no cost. The free tax program generally helps underserved populations such as people with disabilities, limited English speakers, and senior citizens.
No experience is necessary to become a VITA or TCE volunteer. Free specialized training is provided by the IRS. Available positions are not limited to tax preparation and can include interpreters, greeters, and computer specialists.
Volunteers have the option to participate at both in-person and virtual sites. Hours are often flexible with many sites operating at night and on weekends. Finding a nearby free tax help location is easy. They can often be found in local libraries, community centers, schools, and churches. The VITA Locator Tool allows those in need of assistance to find help.
According to the IRS, the peak period for recruiting volunteers is October through January. Individuals can sign up during other months, but their information will be held until IRS partners are accepting volunteers for the next filing season. Those who signed up within the last two months do not need to sign up again unless their contact information has changed.
More information about becoming a VITA/TCE volunteer can be found here.
