Want to help make a difference in your community? You can acquire a new skill and make a difference in your community at the same time. How can you make a difference? Simple. Volunteer with us to help your community by preparing taxes free of charge with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.

As a committed tax volunteer, you’ll receive training and then to begin volunteering at a sponsoring location. Training is offered both online and in-person lessons at various locations throughout the city. Tax sites are generally open on weekdays, nights and weekends, and, online. The hours are flexible and you will surely find a volunteer site convenient for you.

You will receive training to provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. As a volunteer, you will join the thousands of others who each year prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.

f you are interested in becoming a VITA TCE Volunteer and would like to participate or host a Free Tax preparation site in your area you can also complete and submit the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up form and we will be sure to follow-up on your inquiry.

To become certified for the VITA/TCE Programs, you will need to pass the IRS Volunteer Standards of Conduct  (VSOC) test

first self-register in the VITA/TCE Central  testing system:

• Go to the VITA/TCE Central homepage and  click the Create Account button to set up a new IRS account.https://www.linklearncertification.com.

Quick Tip Copy and paste into  a browser, then add to Favorites for easy access at a later time.

Volunteer Standards of Conduct Training and Test

• If you fail the exam, you may review the VSOC lesson and take the exam again. The exam questions may be different. • When you pass the exam, click Print Certificate in the Pass/Fail column for a certificate of completion.

Keep in Mind: The Volunteer Standards of Conduct course and test is a prerequisite to all other courses. If you do  not pass this exam after the second attempt, you may not proceed to any other exams.

Next Step Your Form 13615, Volunteer Agreement

After completing your VSOC training and passing the certification test and all the exams you plan to take,  you will need to read, sign, and provide Form 13615, Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement – to the  VITA/TCE Site(s) were you plan to Volunteer. Your. Form 13615 must be signed and dated by the Site Coordinator, sponsoring  partner, instructor, or IRS contact, verifying your identity and that you have completed the required training  and certification prior to working at a site.

Keep in mind: When you complete the online certification test, you will  automatically be included on a list of certified volunteers. More information on Standards of Conduct can  be found in Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Standards of Conduct—A Public Trust. 

Intake/Interview and Quality Review Training

New this year for all volunteers preparing tax returns is a requirement to complete the Intake/Interview  and Quality Review Training course. This is a PowerPoint course designed to provide detailed training  on how to use the intake sheet to prepare and quality review tax returns. You may take this training only  after completing the VSOC training and exam. Click on the link  to access the VITA/TCE Intake/Interview and Quality Review Training

Keep in Mind:

All volunteers, including Site Coordinators, are required to complete the Volunteer Standards of  Conduct (VSOC) training course and test, and must complete the Intake/Interview and Quality Review  Training course.

Volunteers preparing tax returns must pass either the Basic or Advanced  certification test.

The Basic and Advanced are standalone certifications and it is not required to take the Basic exam if you wish to  certify in Advanced.

You are allowed two attempts to take each exam.

• Volunteers registered as Site Coordinators are also required to complete the Site Coordinator training course.

References

For Quick Links to Link & Learn Taxes Lessons, Certification Test/Retest PDFs, Practice Lab, Evaluations,  and more, return to the VITA/TCE Central home page.

Click here for a brief video demonstration on How to Register on the VITA/TCE Central Testing System.