Sign Up to Volunteer for VITA
At Loaves & Fishes, we love to help the community and make an impact on the lives of others.
Loaves & Fishes is dedicated to bringing free tax services to the communities we serve through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). Volunteers learn to prepare taxes and are trained on VITA site procedures and processes. Loaves & Fishes has been an IRS partner for more than a decade in efforts to provide free tax services to low- to moderate-income families.
The VITA program is open from the first week of February through the first week of April.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-8 pm
Saturdays from 12:30-5 pm
Sundays 8:30 am-1 pm
Interested? Click the button below to fill out our VITA Interest Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What qualifications do I need?
A: The qualifications vary from role to role. Greeters get basic training. No accounting experience is needed. Site coordinators receive basic tax services training and training on overseeing the program. Tax preparers receive comprehensive training. A background in accounting and numbers is helpful but not necessary.
Q: What training is involved? Is it in person or online, and what is the time commitment for the training?
A: The time commitment also varies by role. All of the training is online and is self-paced. Basic training required for greeters can be completed quickly and involves a ten-question assessment. Site coordinator training includes organizational and leadership skills assessment and instruction on IRS processes and procedures. This training can take up to a month and is self-guided. Tax preparer training is also self-guided in addition to shoulder-to-shoulder training with an experienced volunteer tax preparer. New tax preparers would not be on their own for the first year of VITA. This process can take 2-5 months, depending on the skill level of the volunteer.
Q: What is the time commitment for the duration of the VITA program (the first week of February through the first week of April)?
A: We are looking for a weekly commitment for the same shift for the duration of the VITA program. Most volunteers commit to the same shift/shifts a week. The Site coordinator must commit to a minimum of two shifts a week, as they are the primary contact and leader for the site.
Q: What is the deadline for signing up for this volunteer opportunity?
A: December 1st is the deadline to sign up, as it does require a good amount of training and sufficient time to create a schedule for the upcoming season.
Sign up to volunteer for VITA
Join our VITA team and help make a difference. Interested in finding out more about bringing your skills to our VITA team? Email our Program Specialist, Sharon Gonzalez, at sgonzalez@loaves-fishes.org.