Advertisement
Volunteers Needed for Tax Preparers, Appointment Schedulers, Interpreters, Intake Screeners, and Quality Reviewers
The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is recruiting volunteers for the 2027 tax season, which runs from January through mid-April, as well as the post-tax season from June through October.
Advertisement
Volunteers can serve as IRS-certified VITA tax preparers, appointment schedulers, interpreters, intake screeners, and quality reviewers. The VITA program provides free tax preparation assistance to County residents, including Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) holders, with household incomes of $71,000 or less.
The VITA program also helps residents access tax credits that can provide important financial support and help families move toward economic self-sufficiency. Last year, VITA volunteers contributed 3,418 hours and helped 2,479 households. The services provided were valued at nearly $8.9 million, including refunds, tax credits, and the estimated cost of hiring a paid tax preparer.
“VITA is an important resource for residents who may not have the resources to pay for professional tax preparation,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Too many working families pay for tax preparation they can’t afford, or leave money on the table because the tax system is confusing. We need volunteers willing to give their time to help their neighbors access the tax assistance and benefits they are eligible for. For our potential volunteers, this is an opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life.”
There is a particular need for volunteer appointment schedulers. Schedulers answer residents’ phone calls and schedule appointments through an online system; they do not prepare taxes. The program also needs multilingual volunteers because it serves residents from diverse communities, with a particular need for Spanish-fluent volunteers.
All VITA volunteers receive free training and can serve at sites in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, or Wheaton. Volunteer hours and locations are flexible. High school students also can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by serving as greeters or intake screeners.
Two virtual information sessions for prospective volunteers will be held:
Advertisement
- 11 a.m.–noon and 6–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The sessions will provide an overview of the VITA program and available volunteer opportunities. Those interested in attending should complete the volunteer registration form.
For more information or to volunteer, visit the VITA webpage, call 240-777-1123, or email VITA staff.
The Community Action Agency is part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
# # #
Read the original article at mcdhhs
