Come Volunteer With VITA SC-Lowcountry
Preparing Federal and SC Taxes with VITA
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Become a VITA Volunteer
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance — VITA — is built right into our name. Volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Each tax season, our team helps neighbors maximize their refunds and claim important tax credits and deductions that make a real difference in their lives.
VITA is an IRS‑supported program, and all volunteers become IRS‑certified. The IRS provides our training material, supplies, software, and equipment, including a loaner laptop if requested. We’re proudly sponsored locally by the Charleston Area Urban League.
In 2026, our volunteer team contributed 1,700+ hours and prepared more than 1,500 free tax returns, saving Lowcountry residents thousands in tax-prep fees.
Volunteers say they feel like “tax superheros,” using Knowledge and Accuracy to help neighbors thrive. Clients are genuinely grateful — you can see the relief on their faces and hear the appreciation in their voices
No Experience Required
No tax background is needed. If you can use a laptop, you can volunteer. Training runs December–January. Every new volunteer is paired with an experienced mentor who guides them through the training and certification process. Our group training sessions are held at the Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island for this upcoming tax season:
Orientation: Tuesday, December 8, 2026; 11:15am - 3:15pm
Tax Training: Tuesday, Jan 12, 2027; 11:15am – 3:15pm
Tax Training: Thursday, Jan 14, 2027; 11:15am – 3:15pm
Tax Training: Tuesday, Jan 19, 2027; 11:15am – 3:15pm
All Hands Training: Friday, Jan 21, 2027; 11:15am – 3:15pm
We strongly encourage all new volunteers to join us for these in-person sessions to get valuable, hands-on experience with our software and to connect with mentors. While self-study is always available for those with scheduling conflicts, group training is our preferred path for getting started.
Time Commitment
We operate eight in‑person sites, each open one day a week for 4–5 hours. We ask volunteers to serve once a week during tax season, but we’re flexible — life happens, and we understand. Please click SC Lowcountry VITA Locations for a our sites and the hours of operation. We operate from Feburary 1 through April 15.
Volunteer Roles
Greeter & Screener: Welcomes clients, reviews documents, and determines which services are needed.
Tax Preparer: Completes IRS tax law certification; prepares and electronically files tax returns using IRS‑provided software.
Click HERE for the IRS VITA VOLUNTEER VIDEO
Get Started
Fill out our registration form. A volunteer coordinator will follow up with more information.
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