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> News & Events > VITA Volunteers
VITA VolunteersSpringfield Partners for Community Action's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides FREE income tax filing assistance to low-to-moderate income taxpayers, and to taxpayers who are disabled or speak limited English.
VITA helps working families take advantage of all of the tax credits available to them, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and education credits.
Volunteers from the community help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge.
We are recruiting volunteers for the 2013 tax season. To volunteer, please contact Income Tax Advocate Marty O'Connor at 413-263-6500 ext. 6566.
For detailed information about volunteering, please download our brochure or flyer below.
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A Rewarding Volunteer Experience Awaits You… Be a VITA Volunteer!
Give a Few Hours – Get Thousands of Dollars for Springfield Families.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is a program operated by Springfield Partners for Community Action and sponsored by the IRS.
Springfield Partners operates several VITA sites in the greater Springfield area, open at varied hours during the late January to mid-April tax season.
VITA volunteers are trained by the IRS to prepare and file state and federal tax returns. Volunteers spend a few hours a week at a VITA site, filing tax returns for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, as well as taxpayers who are disabled or speak limited English. Volunteers can also serve as greeters and site coordinators.
VITA volunteers are needed for the upcoming tax season. Volunteers who can give translation assistance in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and other languages are welcomed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I want to volunteer. Do I need to have tax preparation experience?
No. Springfield Partners staff provides a comprehensive training session, offered in December or January, using curriculum developed by the IRS.
Volunteers will learn how to prepare a basic Form 1040 and supporting schedules, as well as Massachusetts tax returns.
Where would I be working?
Springfield Partners operates VITA sites in several greater Springfield locations, and you can choose the site most convenient for you.
What if I make an error on a client’s tax return?
All site operations are officially endorsed by the IRS, which releases volunteer tax preparers from personal liability. Volunteers’ work is closely supervised, and all returns are reviewed before being transmitted to the IRS.
Does VITA certification count as professional training or experience?
Yes – VITA-certified tax preparers have a marketable, resume-boosting career skill! Potential employers will value both the volunteer service and the professional experience.
Can I get college or internship credit?
Many colleges offer course credits or internship credits to VITA volunteers. Check with your academic advisor for details.
What’s a site coordinator?
Site coordinators are experienced volunteers who review tax preparers’ returns and prepare them for transmission to the IRS. A few VITA sites are managed by highly experienced site coordinators.
I’m not interested in preparing taxes. Can I still volunteer?
Yes. Volunteers can be site greeters, helping clients fill out intake forms and performing other tasks.
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