VOLUNTEER WITH VITA

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we're so glad you're interested in volunteering with VITA!

No Experience Required!

Free Training & Certification!

Variety of roles & sites available!

Weekly 4-hour shift Feb-Apr.!

Make an impact in your community!

VOLUNTEER TIMELINE

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Step 1:

Decide which role is the right fit for you!

Each volunteer role is critical to the success of our VITA sites! Read the role descriptions and determine which certification you’d like to complete!

You will need to choose your role on the volunteer registration form.

Volunteer Interpreter

Help non-English speaking taxpayers communicate with volunteers throughout the VITA process.

MOBILE INTAKE SPECIALIST

Assist taxpayers in uploading tax documents for our remote tax preparers to access.
Ensure taxpayers understand next steps of the remote tax preparation process.

Intake Specialist

Manage the flow of taxpayers entering a VITA site.
Verify and review documents before sending to a tax preparer volunteer.

Tax Preparer

Prepare accurate and complete tax returns for low-moderate income families
Review and verify taxpayer’s forms and documents
Ask clarifying questions to understand taxpayers’ needs and situation

Quality Reviewer

Verify tax returns are prepared accurately.
Help taxpayers understand their tax situation.
Print copies of tax returns for taxpayers.
Assist Site Coordinators in mentoring new volunteers.

Site Coordinator

Manage day-to-day operations at a VITA site.
Lead a team of VITA volunteers with extensive support from United Way of Tucson staff.
Verify all returns are within the scope of VITA services.
Electronically file tax returns with the state and the IRS.
Encouraged for experienced VITA volunteers!

Step 2:

Find your preferred Site, or let us decide for you!

We have several tax prep sites across Southern Arizona. Explore the interactive map below to find the site that’s right for you! If you don’t have a preference, we will assign you to a site based on need.

You will need to choose your site on the volunteer registration form.

Prefer Volunteering From the Comfort of Your Own Home? All roles Are also available Remotely!

Remote VITA volunteers serve in the same roles as in-person volunteers, using our secure online platform. It’s a flexible way to gain valuable experience and make an impact without having to be at a physical site. Whether you have a packed schedule or simply enjoy working remotely, you can still play an important role in supporting taxpayers!

Interested? Select HUB/REMOTE as your site on the volunteer registration form!

Step 3:

COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM & START TRAINING!

When you submit the form, you’ll be redirected to our online training classroom to get started. View a sample of our Training Guide below!

cOME BACK IN oCTOBER TO rEGISTER!

VITA VOLUNTEER FAQs

DO I NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING TAXES TO VOLUNTEER?

Our VITA program supports the financial wellbeing of low- to moderate-income taxpayers keep more of what they’ve earned and leverage their maximum refund to increase their financial stability while avoiding predatory lending and service fees. Our VITA volunteers filed more than 14,000 tax returns in 2026, resulting in nearly $20 million in refunds!

DO I NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING TAXES TO VOLUNTEER?

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! ALL REQUIRED TRAINING IS FREE AND PROVIDED BY UNITED WAY OF TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA! IRS Certifications must be renewed annually, and training will be updated to reflect any tax code changes. All necessary materials & equipment will be provided to you AT NO COST.

WHAT DOES THE VOLUNTEER TRAINING & CERTIFICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

Volunteer training is role-based, but all volunteers must complete the same onboarding steps to be IRS-certified before the tax sites open. Volunteers have access to a number of resources to successfully complete their certification, including training checklists, a webpage of helpful links, and United Way-hosted study sessions. Training is available in multiple modalities, so you can choose an option that best suits your learning style! You will receive a training overview when you register.

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT FOR A VITA VOLUNTEER?

It can take between 4 to 20 hours to complete training depending on the volunteer role. After completing training, volunteers spend around 40 hours volunteering during the tax season. We ask that all volunteers commit to at least one four-hour shift per week during the tax season.

DO ALL VITA SITES OPERATE THE SAME WAY?

Not necessarily! The majority of sites operate as full-service sites, where taxpayers typically walk away with their completed tax return. A few sites operate as a “drop-off” service in which taxpayers make an appointment to complete intake and upload documents to our secure online portal, then volunteer tax preparers work on the returns remotely. The embedded map above also includes a brief description of how each site typically serves taxpayers.

ARE THERE VITA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF TAX SEASON?

Tax preparation is the bulk of what we do, BUT we do occasionally offer other opportunities to help with outreach, season preparation, volunteer training, and taxpayer workshops. Email us at vita@unitedwaytucson.org to be added to our monthly VITA volunteer newsletter where you will receive information about upcoming opportunities!

WHAT IS MOBILE VITA?

Mobile VITA is a service model designed for taxpayers who are not able to access a full-service site or prefer a more flexible VITA experience. Mobile Intake Specialist volunteers provide in-person assistance as taxpayers complete the VITA intake process on an iPad and upload their tax documents. Once intake is complete, our remote volunteer team accesses the taxpayer’s information through our secure online platform to prepare the return and review it with them over the phone. This service model is convenient for taxpayers, easy for volunteers to learn, and a great way to connect with the community!

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