The IRS VITA Program: A critical resource
for free tax preparation programs
The formation of IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) Program resulted from the Tax Reform Act of 1969. The present goal
of the VITA Program is to provide free federal tax return preparation
and electronic filing targeted to low and moderate-income taxpayers (income
less that $35,000) which often includes elderly taxpayers, taxpayers with
disabilities, and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) taxpayers.
Through its VITA Program, the IRS is actively seeking
partnerships with a variety of community organizations and agencies to
increase the number of EITC-eligible taxpayers who know about the EITC,
file for the EITC, and receive free tax preparation. The Stakeholder,
Partnership, Education, and Communication (SPEC) branch of the IRS’
Wage and Investment Division administers the VITA program and supports
the formation of local EITC campaigns. Local groups can contact the IRS
for a variety of supports for a free volunteer-based tax preparation program.
To contact your local SPEC Territory Manager, contact IRS Analyst Janie
Neal at (404) 338-8078 or Janie.neal@irs.gov.
Many VITA products are free and available
as links available to the public through the IRS website, www.irs.gov. You may locate them easier by searching through Google. Many others appear in the Resource Library on this website.
