October 22, 2026 10:00 a.m.
Oregon and the Internal Revenue Service are once again recruiting people to assist in the free preparation of taxes as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, and the Department of Revenue’s Taxpayer Advocate is encouraging Oregonians to volunteer.
For low- and moderate-income families, claiming the tax credits available to them can be a starting point on the path to stronger financial security. Oregon’s Taxpayer Advocate Codi Trudell said, “Too often those tax credits go unclaimed. The cost and complexity of filing a tax return is a hurdle for too many people”
Trudell said, “Oregon needs more VITA sites and volunteers. By volunteering to help them file their returns and claim their credits, Oregonians can make a difference for people in their local community.”
A release from the Oregon Department of Revenue said volunteers don’t need to be tax experts. Training is provided by the IRS.
By ensuring that eligible taxpayers claim available tax credits like the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the Oregon Earned Income Credit, and Oregon Kids Credit, volunteers can help taxpayers who need it most receive larger refunds and gain a measure of financial security.
To date, in 2026 volunteers with VITA and AARP free tax assistance programs have jointly prepared 39,135 federal tax returns at 107 sites open throughout the state. Every year, however, the sites are forced to turn away people who need assistance due to a shortage of volunteers.
The VITA and TCE programs include training in a variety of roles, including providing free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns. Across the country, thousands of people volunteer each year and prepare millions of tax returns at thousands of tax sites nationwide.
Additional information is available on the IRS website. Interested people can submit an inquiry now using the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up form moving them one step closer to becoming a VITA or TCE tax volunteer and giving back to their community. The IRS will share information about those interested in volunteering with sponsoring organizations for follow-up contact.