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.
Use this Step-by-Step Training Guide to help you through 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:
Watch this short video to learn more about the importance of being a Tax Hero:
Training Central
Training will be a mix of small in person events and virtual opportunities during the 2022 tax season.
Working with Taxpayers 101
December 10, 12-1:30 PM - Ivy Tech B201
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. Watch the video.
VITA: Kick-off Meeting
January 11, 7-8 PM at Ivy Tech Lamkin Hall, C131
Come meet your fellow Tax Heroes and site coordinators as we gear up for the 2022 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
January 22, 9 AM-12 PM and 1-4 PM - Ivy Tech (location TBD)
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:
For Call Takers:
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 Tool for Monroe County
- Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview Sheet & Quality Review Sheet
- Publication 4012, Volunteer Resource Guide
- Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Civil Rights – A Public Trust
- Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals
- VITA, Volunteer Tax Alerts and QSRA, Quality Site Requirement Alerts
Tax Hero Volunteer Coordinator
Amy Leyenbeck, Community Impact Director
United Way of Monroe County
431 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
amy@monroeunitedway.org
812-334-8370 x 11