The Internal Revenue Service is seeking new and returning volunteers to help low-income working families and seniors in Allen County and elsewhere prepare and file their federal income taxes during the 2014 tax return filing season.

Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, volunteers receive specialized training for duties as tax preparers, quality reviewers, interpreters, greeters, and more. Upon successful completion of their training, volunteers receive IRS certification and are eligible to participate in a VITA/TCE program supporting people in their local community.

No prior tax return experience is required to participate. Return volunteers are welcome. Since tax laws vary from year to year, returning volunteers must undergo annual training and recertification.  The training and certification process generally takes 16-20 hours for both new and returning volunteers. Most volunteer training occurs in November and December, so that volunteers are ready and able to provide free tax help from mid-January to mid-April.

During the 2013 tax filing season, the VITA program in Allen County was supported by the Superior Federal Credit Union. The program’s 27 volunteers prepared and filed more than 500 tax returns, providing more than $840,000 in federal tax refunds back into the local community. Prospective volunteers in the Greater Lima area can call (419) 227-6341 for upcoming training and other information.

Anyone anywhere in the U.S. can learn more about becoming a volunteer by completing and emailing IRS Form 14310 VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up or emailing [email protected]. Additional information on the VITA and TCE programs can be found on the IRS website at www.IRS.gov.