Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers FREE tax preparation services. Volunteers are IRS certified and trained to identify taxpayer’s eligibility for federal tax credits to help families get the most accurate returns.

Free Tax Preparation Services

Many taxpayers who are eligible for free tax preparation also are eligible for the EIC (Earned Income Credit) and the CTC (Child Tax Credit).

The  free income tax preparation in Volusia and Flagler Counties occurs yearly with the assistance of IRS certified volunteers who are trained to identify taxpayer’s eligibility for federal tax credits and to help families with income up to $54,000 file accurate tax returns, through its VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.

VITA SITE LOCATIONS:

VITA Site Locations will open February 2025, check back for additional details including how to make an appointment.

VITA SITE CHECKLIST:

Click here to Download the Check List

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FILE FOR FREE ONLINE

You can also file your taxes for free online at: myfreetaxes.com

Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia Flagler Counties’ Non-Discrimination Policy: It is the organization’s policy to abide by all laws and to not discriminate because of age, race, color, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap or disability, or marital or veteran status.

To become a tax preparer, volunteers need to successfully certify in tax law, including the use of electronic filing software and attend an orientation to provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers. Follow the below steps to certify as a tax preparer.

STEP 1: Register Here

• VITA Volunteer Interest Link

STEP 2: Access Training Materials (electronic)

Electronic versions of materials

can be accessed through the following links:

• Publication 4012
• Publication 6744
• Publication 4491

STEP 3: Create VITA/TCE Certification Test Site and TaxSlayer Practice Lab Logins

The VITA/TCE Certification Test Site (Link and Learn) is separate from the TaxSlayer Practice Lab; you will need access to both accounts.

VITA/TCE Certification Test Site

Create or login to your account at Link and Learn

• View the Link and Learn Guide

Tax Preparers must complete three exams (see training info below):

• Volunteer Standards of Conduct Exam
• Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam
• AdvancedExam

Once all exams have been completed, print the Volunteer Agreement Form 13615. View the Link and Learn guide above for instructions on where to locate the agreement.

Volunteers must print several copies of the volunteer agreement form, as they will be required to bring it to each site.

TaxSlayer Practice Lab

The Practice Lab provides a simulated VITA/TCE learning environment in the TaxSlayer Pro Online software, includes learning tools and TaxSlayer support, and is required to certify.

• Login to TaxSlayer
• To gain access to the account, use the generic password: TRAINPROWEB.

STEP 4: Certification Training Sessions

Experienced tax preparers who have volunteered with VITA previously may complete the certification exams independently using Link and Learn instead of registering for a session.

• Once all exams have been completed, print the Volunteer Agreement Form 13615. View the Link and Learn guide above for instructions on where to locate the agreement.
• Volunteers will need to print several copies of the volunteer agreement form, as they will be required to bring to each site.

New tax preparers will need to register for the in-person or virtual Certification Training Sessions.

Volunteers will achieve up to three (3) VITA certifications by passing proctored exams, including the Volunteer Standards of Conduct, Intake/Interview/Quality Review, and Advanced Scenario. The sessions will:

• Create comfort and confidence for volunteers to serve through the VITA program and sites.
• Create comfort and confidence in navigating TaxSlayer as a technology platform for completing taxpayer returns.
• Embrace that VITA site operations are executed most effectively when VITA volunteers serve in collaboration with their peer volunteers, Site Coordinators, and VITA program leadership as a team.
• Elevate virtual professional skills for VITA volunteers in preparation for the possibility of virtual synchronous and asynchronous VITA service for the 2022-2023 tax season.
• Once all exams have been completed, print the Volunteer Agreement Form 13615. View the Link and Learn guide above for instructions on where to locate the agreement.
• Volunteers will need to print several copies of the volunteer agreement form, as they will be required to bring to each site.