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The IRS is recruiting volunteers and community organizations for its free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Individuals can start by submitting the IRS volunteer interest form; organizations can inquire about hosting, sponsoring, or supporting a local site. No tax-preparation experience is required, and the IRS provides free training. The IRS recruitment announcement is dated October 1, 2026.
How do I volunteer to prepare taxes for free?
Start with the IRS VITA/TCE volunteer and partner sign-up form. The IRS routes volunteer interest to local organizations. It says volunteers should receive local site information and an invitation to virtual orientation about 14 days after submitting the form. The current recruitment announcement encourages sign-ups from October through January, but local training dates, open roles, and shifts depend on the assigned organization.
- Submit the volunteer interest form linked from the IRS volunteer page.
- Review the local site information and attend the orientation invitation you receive.
- Discuss available roles, training, and schedule directly with the local organization.
VITA and TCE sites are run with community organizations. The IRS reported that approximately 9,000 such sites were hosted by community organizations in the preceding year. More than 84,500 volunteers helped taxpayers file nearly 2.9 million returns at no cost in 2026, according to the IRS recruitment announcement.
Do I need experience to volunteer with VITA or TCE?
No. The IRS says prior tax-preparation experience is not required and offers free role-based training, available online and in classrooms. Which format, role, and schedule are available depends on the local site. IRS materials describe opportunities such as tax preparation, greeting taxpayers, interpreting, and computer support; ask the organization matching you which roles it needs.
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VITA generally provides free basic return preparation for eligible low- to moderate-income taxpayers and other underserved groups. TCE provides free tax assistance to people aged 60 or older, with particular attention to tax issues involving pensions and retirement plans. See the IRS free tax preparation program information for program details.
How can my organization host a free tax preparation site?
Schools, nonprofits, financial institutions, faith-based groups, and other community organizations can host or sponsor a site, recruit volunteers, or support local access in other ways. Use the IRS volunteer and partner sign-up page to express interest, and consult the partner information page for the inquiry route and contact details for local partnership discussions.
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Hosting does not necessarily mean your organization must do every task itself. The IRS describes a community-based delivery model; discuss staffing, training, quality review, equipment, and operating needs with the IRS or local program contacts before committing to a site.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the IRS provide grants for VITA and TCE sites?
Yes. The IRS has grant programs supporting eligible organizations that operate VITA or TCE services. VITA grant funds may support program administration, volunteer training, quality review, and ordinary operating costs under grant rules; laptops and office supplies are examples of possible site costs, not requirements for individual volunteers. TCE grants have separate eligible expenses and focus on serving taxpayers aged 60 or older. Review the live IRS partner and grant information and the applicable funding notice for eligibility and allowable costs.
The FY26 application period ran May 1–31, 2026, and is closed as of October 3, 2026. The IRS lists the performance period as October 1 through September 30. Organizations planning a future application should use the IRS grant page for the next cycle’s dates and requirements rather than treating partner inquiry as a grant application.
In its May 1, 2026 grant announcement, the IRS reported $12 million in TCE awards and $41 million in VITA awards. Separately, an IRS announcement dated January 30, 2026 reported $53 million awarded to 48 TCE and 315 VITA applicants. These are figures from separate announcements and should not be read as a single award total. See the May 1 grant announcement and the January 30 awards announcement.
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Choose the right way to take part
| Path | Best for | Next step | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual volunteer | People able to help taxpayers at a local site or, where offered, virtually | Submit the IRS volunteer interest form | No experience required; training is free, while roles and schedules vary by site. |
| Community partner | Organizations able to host, sponsor, recruit, or support a site | Use the IRS partner inquiry or sign-up route | Partner interest is separate from grant eligibility and application dates. |
| Grant applicant | Eligible organizations planning or operating a VITA/TCE program | Check the current IRS grant page and funding notice | The FY26 application period has closed as of October 3, 2026. |
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