Become a VITA Volunteer

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national program staffed by local volunteers that provides free preparation and electronic filing of tax returns. Our volunteers help Racine County residents file taxes through VITA.

Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles. Each role plays a very important part in the success of the program. 
  • Greeters welcome tax filers to the VITA site and make sure that tax filers have all the information needed to complete their tax returns. No tax certification is needed.
  • Bilingual interpreters work alongside clients and preparers to interpret their conversations. No tax certification is needed.
  • Tax preparers are the backbone of the program. They must complete training and certification at a basic or advanced level. Training is provided in both in-person, virtual and web-based formats, free, and can be completed on your own time, at your own pace. 
  • Quality reviewers provide a double check of every tax return prepared and review the finished return with the taxpayer. They help to ensure accuracy. Quality reviewers are required to be certified at the advanced level. Additional training provided.
  • Site coordinators and assistant site coordinators ensure that VITA rules and regulations are followed at every site and assist the site's volunteers and clients. Requires advanced certification, site coordinator certification, and additional training.
  • Intake specialists interview the taxpayers and review documents to prepare their information for preparation. They also assist clients with drop off of tax documents and/or the virtual tax process. This position requires tax certification and additional training.

No experience is required. All training is provided. Flexible schedules are available, including weekdays, evenings and weekends. A commitment of one two-to-four-hour shift per week is required during tax season, January through April.

Virtual orientation is required for all volunteers. After applying, you will receive an email with the days, times and link to attend. Orientations are held weekly starting the week of October 16.

All volunteers are required to submit and pass a background before volunteering at a site.

Volunteer information
Contact information
Emergency contact information
Volunteer interest and availability
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By volunteering to provide in-person services you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
I am interested in volunteering as a(n)
Please pick your top choice. This does not lock you into a specific volunteer role. If you are interested in multiple positions, let us know in the notes section below. 
Please let me know what day(s) of the week you are typically available to volunteer.
This is general availability. You will be able to select your exact schedule as we get closer to tax season.
Please let me know what time(s) of day you are typically available to volunteer.
This is general availability. You will be able to select your exact schedule as we get closer to tax season.
Volunteer demographics

The information provided in this section will not be connected to your name. 

How do you describe your race?
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Terms
This will confirm that the undersigned, having the sole right to do so, for good and valuable consideration (the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged), grants to United Way of Racine County, to include United Way Worldwide and its affiliated organizations, members, successors, assigns and licensees, a non-exclusive and irrevocable right to photograph, record, reproduce, publish, copyright, or otherwise use my name, photographic portraits or pictures, film, videos, internet postings, or sound recordings or any part thereof that may have been taken of me during United Way events and/or activities in written or electronic format, video or film (Content) for promotional, advertising, or other charitable purposes in any media including the world wide web related to the United Way community impact activities. This also includes any tweets or messages through social media.

I acknowledge and agree that nothing contained herein requires United Way to use any Content as described herein.

I represent and warrant that the consent of no other third party is required to enable United Way to use the Content as described herein, and that such use will not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third parties.

I acknowledge and agree that United Way has the right to assign this agreement and/or the rights herein (in whole or in part) to any party.

I acknowledge that its sole remedy for any breach shall be an action for damages, and irrevocably waive any right to obtain equitable or injunctive relief.

I waive any right of inspection, preapproval, or claims for compensation.

I am of full age and have the right to contract in your own name and have read the above consent and permission and are fully aware of its contents. In the event I am a minor, the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required. I will contact United Way of Racine County to make further arrangements.

This Consent and Release contains the full and complete understanding between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining hereto and cannot be modified except by a writing signed by each party.
 
I understand that my eligibility to be a volunteer is dependent on my background check results. I understand that before I am able to volunteer, I am responsible for submitting my personal information to Sterling Volunteers in order to provide a background check to United Way of Racine County. I certify that the answers given by me to Sterling Volunteers will be complete, true, and correct without misrepresentations or omissions of any kind.

I understand that United Way of Racine County shall not be held liable in any respect if my volunteering is terminated because of false or incomplete statements, answers or omissions made by me on the disclosure form of any other document. In consideration of United Way of Racine County’s review of the document, I hereby release United Way of Racine County, its Board, its agents, as well as all providers of information from any liability and for any damage which may result from the furnishing and receiving of information. A copy of this authorization and release is as valid as the original and should be recognized as such.

If accepted as a volunteer, I understand that I will be expected to keep in absolute confidence any and all confidential information that comes to my attention as the direct result of my volunteer duties.