The Internal Revenue Service is seeking volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, said IRS New Jersey spokesperson, Gregg Semanick.
During the tax filing season, VITA and TCE volunteers, in community locations throughout the state, help fill out tax returns for older taxpayers, people with disabilities, non-English speaking and other people who cannot afford professional assistance.
Some of the volunteer groups offer free electronic tax filing.
The IRS provides VITA and TCE volunteers with free instruction and all the materials needed to prepare basic income tax returns such as Forms 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040.
Training is generally held during January at convenient locations.
"These are great programs that help citizens meet their tax filing obligations. In New Jersey during last filing season, over 550 VITA and TCE volunteers assisted 18,200 taxpayers at more than 150 volunteer sites in communities across the state," Semanick said.
Although an accounting background is helpful for those considering volunteering, it is not required. Computer skills are a plus.
Volunteers are also needed to help in other aspects of the VITA and TCE programs, such as organizing sites, instructing classes, reviewing returns prepared at the sites and publicity.
Local civic and fraternal organizations, educational institutions, churches and social groups can also sponsor VITA and TCE programs.
Tax assistance generally is provided at schools, churches, malls, libraries and other convenient neighborhood locations.
To get involved, contact Stephen M. Savage, IRS New Jersey VITA/TCE coordinator, for more information. Call (973) 645-3853.
You can also request information via e-mail at [email protected].

