What is the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program?

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-sponsored program that provides free tax filing assistance using IRS-certified volunteers. The VITA program offers free tax help to individuals with low-to-moderate income, persons with disabilities, elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. VITA also provides access to free tax preparation software for those who can prepare their tax returns.

Every year, approximately 90 million low-income taxpayers file a tax return. Of these VITA-eligible filers, only 2 percent take advantage of free tax preparation or filing. Many low-income taxpayers spend hundreds of dollars to have their returns prepared and receive a “rapid refund,” or they spend money to purchase tax preparation software.

By becoming an IRS VITA partner, credit unions can increase awareness of and expand access to free tax preparation (or free filing) for low-income taxpayers. VITA volunteers are certified in tax law and can help ensure that taxpayers receive the tax credits they are eligible for, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), which have lifted millions of families and children out of poverty.

How Can Credit Unions Support VITA?

  • Promote VITA to members and employees in monthly statements or newsletters.
  • Communicate the value of direct deposit for safer, faster access to tax refunds.
  • Encourage employees to volunteer to prepare tax returns or other roles at local volunteer sites.
  • Provide an IRS Free File link to free tax preparation software on your website, allowing clients to prepare their own tax returns at no cost.
  • Host a free tax preparation site at your credit union for your members and community.
  • Promote virtual filing. Ideal for financial institutions that cannot provide VITA services at their location. The financial institution can partner with an existing free tax preparation site to offer VITA to its clients. Usually, this involves providing space where tax documents can be dropped off and secured before forwarding to the tax preparation site.
  • Offer Facilitated Self Assistance on your credit union website. These are free, online, secure tax-preparation websites where clients answer simple questions and prepare, and e-file their tax return.

How Does the IRS Support VITA Partners?

  • Free tax preparation software
  • Free training materials
  • Free on-line tax law training
  • Support from an IRS relationship manager
  • Introduction to local VITA partners and coalitions

For further details about the VITA program and VITA sites in your area, contact your local IRS SPEC manager at partner@irs.gov or visit the IRS’ website for valuable information.

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