Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program seeks volunteers in Champaign-Urbana
No tax experience necessary to help provide this service
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) – The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Champaign-Urbana is currently seeking volunteers.
The VITA Program, operated by the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business, helps lower-income households, older adults, people with disabilities and non-English speakers prepare their tax returns.
Community volunteers are needed on-site at Salt & Light in Urbana to help greet clients and make sure they have the correct documents when they arrive, as well as help coach Gies College accounting students with customer relations and information gathering.
Volunteers will not complete tax returns.
“Our VITA program is truly a win-win situation. Gies College of Business accounting students gain valuable hands-on experience and taxpayers receive much needed help at no cost,” said Kathy Sweedler, VITA Site Coordinator.
According to the Gies College of Business, 47 community volunteers working with students and faculty resulted in 783 tax returns completed and filed for free in 2026.
Volunteers are needed from February 1, 2027 through April 15, 2027.
Training for volunteers will be provided.
Shifts are 2.5 hours, with multiple shifts available per week if requested.
Those interested in volunteering should complete and submit the Volunteer Interest Form.
For questions, contact Kathy Sweedler, VITA Site Coordinator, at VITA@business.illinois.edu
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