Become A Volunteer
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Can I still volunteer if I don’t know anything about tax return preparation?Absolutely! We don’t expect any of our volunteers to have prior tax knowledge. We provide comprehensive training resulting in an IRS Certification.
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What is required for training?Starting in December of 2023, Capital Area United Way (CAUW) will be posting training materials on a platform called BetterImpact. The link to sign up for BetterImpact is in our "How To Apply" section. Training is self-paced, and content will be released about every 2 weeks. Training with last until January and will include 20-25 hours of total content. This content varies depending on the volunteer role you choose. This includes practice scenarios for preparing returns, knowledge of resources available in the community, and the overall VITA process. After training is completed, volunteers will take an IRS Certification Exam and a Michigan Certification Exam. Subscribe to our email list, linked in the first question, to get more information on training dates and specifics.
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How many hours per week should I expect to volunteer?You should expect to volunteer around 3-4 hours per week. This is usually completed by volunteering 1 to 2 times per week.
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Where do I volunteer?You have 3 options for volunteering. You can volunteer all on-site, half virtual & half on-site, or totally virtual depending on what position you choose!
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What if I make an error while preparing a tax return?All returns are reviewed by multiple other experienced volunteers, so the chance of making an error is very low. You can always ask another volunteer or staff member if you ever feel confused while preparing a return!
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Does volunteering for VITA count as community service?Yes, our mission is to serve the residents in our community by filing their yearly tax returns.
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Is there an opportunity to complete an Honors Option through VITA?Yes, ACC 331 & HDFS 238 offer an honors option. Contact an Executive Board member and discuss with your professor. This can count for either the Fall or Spring semester. The requirements are being finalized, but you would have to participate in VITA as at least a Tax Preparer for the credit.
Volunteering Overview
Becoming a VITA volunteer is a great way to gain professional soft skills, build tax knowledge, and make a meaningful impact in your community. Through client interaction, you will develop problem-solving and communication skills while working alongside a team of dedicated volunteers and staff. Whether you volunteer in person or virtually, your time and effort will help individuals and families navigate the tax filing process with confidence.
Eligibility Requirements
VITA welcomes student volunteers enrolled at Michigan State University from all backgrounds—no prior tax experience is required!
Volunteers must complete IRS and Michigan training and certification exams to ensure they are equipped to assist clients accurately. The time commitment for volunteering is flexible, with most volunteers dedicating 3-4 hours per week, either on-site or virtually.
Volunteering Positions With VITA
There are three unique positions that VITA volunteers may choose from:​
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Tax Preparer: Volunteer tax preparers prepare tax returns through online software using the information and documentation provided by clients to prepare an accurate tax return that maximizes their refund. Traditionally, they would work face-to-face with a client, however with the disruptions brought on by the pandemic, most now volunteer remotely accessing digital scans of documents.
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Intake Specialist: Intake specialists assist clients by scanning and uploading the necessary tax documents and information necessary to prepare their return remotely. They typically volunteer in-person with some virtual opportunities available. This allows us to serve a greater number of clients, particularly with the changes brought about by the pandemic.
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Quality Reviewer: Quality reviewers are volunteers with at least one year of experience who ensure that returns are prepared accurately by tax preparers before they are filed. Every return prepared at our sites, virtually or otherwise, goes through a review. They also train fellow volunteers by identifying mistakes and demonstrating proper procedure.
How to Apply
Interested in joining VITA? Follow these steps:
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Sign up for our email list to receive updates on training sessions, meetings, and key deadlines.​​​​
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Attend an information session to learn more about volunteer opportunities and connect with current volunteers.
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Complete VITA/CAUW application, training and certification to prepare for your volunteer role.​​
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In order to access the VITA/CAUW application you must make an account in the MyImpactPage to get started. Once an account has been made you will have access to the application and can follow the instructions to get started.
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For additional questions, email us at rso.msuvita@msu.edu.