NASHUA – IRS-certified volunteers are the unsung heroes of tax filing season. Every year, they step up to help taxpayers successfully file their tax returns. Anyone who wants to make a difference in their community, learn about tax preparation and earn continuing education credits should consider volunteering.

Last year alone, 35 volunteers with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in the Greater Nashua area prepared more than 1,000 free tax returns which yielded more than $1 million in refunds for our community.

Volunteers are now being sought to provide tax preparation services in Nashua and Hudson through the annual program sponsored by United Way of Greater Nashua. They are needed to fill a variety of roles beyond tax preparation including interpreters, greeters, quality reviewers, marketing specialists, instructors and computer specialists.

Once trained, volunteers will prepare taxes at the United Way office in Nashua, the Nashua Senior Activity Center, Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson and the Hudson Senior Center. The Hudson Senior Center will offer drop-off tax preparations services.

Sites will be open from late January through the tax filing deadline in April.

Tax preparation services are provided in two IRS volunteer programs. VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs both offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers.

VITA offers free help to people who generally earn $60,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers. TCE is mainly for people ages 60 or older and specializes in tax issues unique to seniors.

Volunteering is easy and convenient

-Volunteers can work flexible hours. Volunteers can generally choose their own hours and days to volunteer.

-No prior experience is needed. Volunteers receive specialized training to become IRS certified. They can also choose their volunteer role. VITA and TCE programs include volunteers of all backgrounds and ages as well as individuals who are fluent in other languages.

-The IRS provides free tax law training and materials. Volunteers receive training materials at no charge. The tax law training covers how to prepare basic federal tax returns electronically. The training also covers tax topics such as deductions and credits.

-Tax professionals can earn continuing education credits. Enrolled agents and non-credentialed tax return preparers can earn continuing education credits when volunteering as a VITA or TCE instructor, quality reviewer or tax return preparer.

The United Way of Greater Nashua would like to thank the sponsors for the VITA tax preparation program, Granite United Way, the IRS and the Citizens Bank Charitable Foundation.

Email VITA-Hudson@comcast.net for more information about becoming a volunteer in the 2024 tax season.