BE A VITA HERO

Why become a volunteer in our community?

Becoming a VITA volunteer has a tremendous impact on members of our community, such as seniors, non-English speakers, limited English speakers, veterans, and low-income people. Having someone certified to prepare taxes at no cost is a great relief for our clients.

You can volunteer two days a week for three hours each night or just one day. Alternatively, you can participate in our virtual VITA program where you prepare returns at home.

Expectations

As a first year volunteer, you will be assigned returns at the Basic Level for preparation.

Second year and above individuals will prepare both Basic and Advance Level returns. those certified at the Advance Level are able to Quality Review all Basic and Advance Level Returns.

Only Military Level certified individuals will prepare Military Level returns. The Military certification is an optional specialty certification that becomes available after passing the Advanced certification. Thus, Military certified individuals can prepare returns of Basic, Advanced, returns involving Rental Property and Military returns.

All of our volunteer income preparers must be certified annually at the desired/chosen level. All of our volunteers are required to complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (Ethics) training and intake/interview and quality review training and exam.

Volunteers can choose to become advanced or military level tax preparers. All of our applicants must certify at the advanced level. It is not necessary to take the Basic exam before taking the Advanced exam.

Requirements

You must be 16 years or older.
Volunteer in our program for at least one year.
Help and support other volunteers.
An organized, responsible, and punctual person.
Free up your time for 3 hours one or two days a week
Willing to do training at your own pace.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a big plus.

Simple Steps to Help

Register for VITA

Start your journey with Desert Financial and Tax Services by completing the registration form. Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you.

Study and pass the exams

Choose how to obtain your training materials: online or through hard copies. All volunteers must present their certificates to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Prepare taxes

Come to the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Career Center on the first day of your volunteer session. Get ready to have fun and meet new people.

Other Opportunities

If you do not want to prepare taxes, you can volunteer as a greeter/inspector, interpreter, or valet.

Plato:

“Caring for the happiness of others, we find our own”

**Thank you to the City of Phoenix VITA for providing this volunteer resources.

OTHER TRAINING RESOURCES

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg VITA Training

Volunteer

Table of Contents

BE A VITA HERO

Why become a volunteer in our community?

Expectations

Requirements

Simple Steps to Help

Register for VITA

Study and pass the exams

Prepare taxes

Other Opportunities

Let's work together

Plato:

TAX EDUCATION RESOURCES

VITA TAX ALERTS 2026

SITE PUBLICATIONS

OTHER TRAINING RESOURCES

Pages

Useful Sites