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!
Complete this Tax Hero application to start the process of becoming a Tax Hero. Training and Certification will begin in late November - early December.
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
2024-2025 Training Materials are coming soon! Please see below if you'd like to explore the materials from last year. Please be aware that tax law and other details of the VITA program can change from year to year, so information in the below materials may be out of date.
Volunteers will be able to attend training for the 2024 tax season either in-person or virtually.
Working with Taxpayers 101
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
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 last year's handout 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 (24-25 Guide Coming Soon)
Prosperity Now VITA Training (Not yet updated for 24-25): 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 (Last updated June 2024): 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) (24-25 Handbook Coming soon)
Required only for Intake Specialists:
Intake Form 13614-C Training (24-25 Updates Coming Soon)
For Call Takers:
Scope and Decision Tree Training Video (24-25 Updates Coming Soon)
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:
- Publication 4491, VITA/TCE Training Guide
- Publication 4012, Volunteer Resource Guide
- Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals
- Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview Sheet & Quality Review Sheet
- Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Civil Rights – A Public Trust
- VITA, Volunteer Tax Alerts and QSRA, Quality Site Requirement Alerts
Tax Hero Volunteer Coordinator
Catherine Blankensop, Resource Development Director
United Way of South Central Indiana
431 South College Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47403
catherine@monroeunitedway.org
812-269-1244