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Become an NYC Free Tax Prep Volunteer

Ad featuring smiling volunteer with tagline, Make a differnece. Become a volunteer preparer.

As a volunteer preparer, you can have a real impact on New Yorkers’ lives. For many working families, their tax refund might be the biggest check they receive all year, but many spend an average of $377 to prepare their tax return and lose a valuable part of their refund.

With just a few hours a week, you will help New Yorkers complete their tax returns and claim valuable tax credits. You’ll complete about 40 tax returns from January to April, helping your neighbors claim more than $90,000 in refunds and save on average $15,000 in tax preparation fees.

NYC Free Tax Prep is now accepting volunteers for the 2027 tax season! Learn about NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer opportunities by signing up through our online volunteer registration form and read more below.

Learn More About Becoming a Volunteer Preparer

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Get Trained and Certified

Learn about NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer opportunities by signing up through our online volunteer registration form, where you will receive information about trainings and events.

Training information will be updated in Fall 2026 for the upcoming tax season. You can review the previous years' raining information on Link & Learn, the IRS e-learning website for VITA/TCE volunteers. 

Sign Up for a Free Tax Prep Volunteer Webinar

DCWP is hosting virtual information sessions where you can learn more about volunteering and hear from our community-based organizations. Please select a date and time and click the link to sign up!

September 8, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Register for workshop online

September 16, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Register for workshop online

September 23, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Register for workshop online

FAQs

What will I do as a volunteer?
Most NYC Free Tax Prep volunteers become tax preparers. After completing tax law training and successfully passing the open-book exam to become a certified preparer, you will use standard IRS forms and electronic filing software to provide free tax return preparation for eligible filers. Other volunteers may serve as:
  • greeters, who screen taxpayers to determine the type of assistance they need and confirm they have the necessary documentation to complete their tax returns; or
  • interpreters, who provide free language interpretation to help filers who want to speak with a volunteer in their preferred language. 
Training and support are provided for all roles. As a volunteer, you’ll always be supported as you help your fellow New Yorkers file their tax returns.

Is there an age minimum to volunteer? Do I need to be a citizen of the United States to volunteer?
Anyone over the age of 16 can volunteer. A parent or guardian must complete a consent form for any volunteer under 18.

Anyone lawfully residing in the United States can volunteer.

What are the benefits to volunteering?
This is a short-term commitment that makes a big difference. As an NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer, you will join a team of passionate, supportive, and diverse New Yorkers. You will gain knowledge about basic tax law and earn IRS certification to serve as a volunteer preparer. This all happens while you are assisting people in your community who need help and are truly grateful for your work. This volunteer commitment can also build career skills, such as customer service, accounting, and problem solving. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in accounting, social work, or legal professions, this is a great learning opportunity!

Is this an in-person volunteer opportunity?
The greatest need for volunteers will be at our more than 130 in-person tax sites across all five boroughs. Learn about volunteer opportunities by signing up through our online volunteer registration form or by attending one of our informational sessions.

What are the requirements to volunteer?
You do not need tax experience to become an NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer. Most volunteers are not tax professionals; many are students, young professionals, and retirees. Before you start volunteering, you will receive training from excellent instructors who teach new volunteers how to complete basic tax returns for the most common scenarios seen at NYC Free Tax Prep sites. Other general requirements for volunteering are:
  • being comfortable working with people;
  • completing the IRS volunteer certification; and
  • serving as a regular volunteer each week or every other week.

We are also looking for volunteers who speak a language other than English, particularly Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Korean, and Polish.

How long does training take?
The training and certification process takes approximately 8 to 10 hours. Volunteers must be certified as a VITA/TCE Volunteer Tax Preparer by the IRS. After completing the training, volunteers will take the open-book exams online through the IRS. This training can be completed through the following ways:
  1. In-person training: Learn with your fellow volunteers in a classroom setting.
  2. Self-paced training: Learn at your own place online through the IRS's Link & Learn platform.

The training materials are updated each fall to reflect changes for each new tax season. By signing up through our interest form, you will receive up-to-date information on training opportunities.

I’m an Enrolled Agent. Can I get CE credits for volunteering?
Yes. Volunteering with the IRS VITA/TCE program through NYC Free Tax Prep is a great way for Enrolled Agents to earn IRS Continuing Education (CE) credits. Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants may also qualify for CE credits depending on their state licensing requirements or National Boards of Standards. Learn more at irs.gov.

I have additional questions. Contact us at freetaxprep@dcwp.nyc.gov.

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Page updated 09/2026