Free Community Tax Service Volunteer Hub

Group of Tax Volunteers

Become someone's Tax Hero today!

What is a Tax Hero?

Not all heroes wear capes. Some volunteer to help hardworking families get ahead financially by filing their taxes for free!

The Free Community Tax Service provides FREE federal and state income tax preparation to low- and moderate-income residents from January to April each year. Volunteers will screen clients in an intake and interview process, prepare tax returns, and peer review returns for quality assurance. No prior experience necessary! Volunteers will receive training in income tax law and tax preparation and become IRS- certified.

Read the Tax Hero Volunteer Description for more information on what it takes to become someone's tax hero.

 

Become a Free Community Tax Service Hero!

1. Sign-up.

Complete this online application to start the process of becoming a Tax Hero. After you sign up, be on the look out for emails from the VITA coordinator for the next steps.

2. Start the Training and Certification process.  

All volunteers must get certified through the Link & Learn IRS Online certification portal.

A Step-by-Step Training Guide to the certification process.

 

Being a Tax Hero is a rewarding way to learn new skills, make friends, and strengthen the community.

Hear from Tax Hero Laura Walter about her experience volunteering:

Laura Walter talks about being a Tax Hero

Watch this short video to learn more about the importance of being a Tax Hero:

Training Central

Volunteers will be able to attend training for the 2024 tax season either in-person or virtually.

Working with Taxpayers 101

Watch the video here.

This quick class will inform volunteers how to work with all types of taxpayers, especially while handling sensitive information. This class is useful to help you feel comfortable when you first sit down to work one on one with taxpayers. 

VITA: Kick-off Meeting

Watch the video here. 

Come meet your fellow Tax Heroes and site coordinators as we gear up for the 2023 tax season. You will get information and updates on the program and have the opportunity to ask questions. You will also be able to pick up your training materials at the meeting, if you would prefer hard copies. 

Tax & Software Class

View the handout here. 

Watch the video here.

Ivy Tech Accounting and Tax Professors host a free class which you can attend in person, virtually by zoom, or watch the recording. They will lead you through the basics of tax law, how to pass the certification test, and how to use TaxSlayer, the IRS provided tax software you will use to prepare returns during tax season.

For all Tax Heroes:

Link & Learn Getting Started Guide

Free Community Tax Service Training & Certification Step-by-Step Guide

Prosperity Now VITA Training: This is free online training curriculum features 12 plug-and-play modules designed to help volunteers prepare for the IRS Basic Volunteer Certification Test. It also includes a module for returning volunteers with updates on the new tax laws and several Advanced Certification topics.

VITA Training Site: Access study guides, quizzes, videos, and a google form where you can enter your answers to the certification test and check yourself before you take the test through Link and Learn.

Using the Practice Lab (TaxSlayer Guide)

Indiana State Volunteer Handbook (For State Returns) 

Required only for Intake Specialists:

Intake Form 13614-C Training

For Call Takers:

Scope and Decision Tree Tool

Scope and Decision Tree Training Video

Appointment Plus Training

Site Coordinators Corner

IRS page for site coordinators

ACA Affordability Calculator: This tool can help tax preparers determine eligibility for ACA exemptions.

AARP Tax-Aide Tool List: Helpful calculators and tools that go above and beyond TaxSlayer

Child Care Tax Credit Information: Understanding Letter 6419

Property Tax Look-Up:

Tax Hero Volunteer Coordinator

Catherine Blankensop, Annual Giving & Community Impact Manager
United Way of South Central Indiana
431 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
catherine@monroeunitedway.org
812-269-1244