The IRS is recruiting volunteers for free tax help

The IRS is looking for volunteers and host organizations for its two free tax preparation programs, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly, known as VITA and TCE. In an October 1 announcement, the agency said more than 84,500 volunteers helped taxpayers file nearly 2.9 million returns at no cost in 2026, and that no experience is necessary to join.

Who the programs serve

VITA sites generally help people who make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers who speak limited English, according to the IRS. The IRS does not set a program-wide income limit, and individual sites may set their own. TCE focuses on people 60 and older and specializes in questions about pensions and retirement.

What volunteers do

The IRS provides free training, online and in the classroom, for roles matched to a volunteer's skills, interests, and available time. Volunteers who prepare returns must pass tax law training and certify their knowledge, and every return prepared at a site gets a quality review before it is filed. Sites are generally open nights and weekends, and some offer virtual options. Volunteers range from students to retirees.

Why nonprofits host sites

About 9,000 VITA and TCE sites were hosted last year by schools, nonprofits, financial institutions, faith-based groups, and other organizations, the IRS said. A food pantry, library, or community center that already serves working families can add free tax help to what it offers. Organizations that sign up are contacted by an IRS relationship manager to discuss next steps.

How to sign up

Individuals and organizations use the same VITA/TCE volunteer and partner sign-up form on IRS.gov. The IRS says volunteers receive a list of nearby sites and an invitation to a virtual orientation about 14 days after signing up, and it encourages people to sign up between October and January. If you will be welcoming tax volunteers of your own, our guide to running a volunteer orientation people remember applies here too.