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VITA tax preparers provide free tax return preparation for eligible taxpayers
1. Register for your Tax site and training
Register for your training classes (See steps 3, 4 and 7)
2. REQUIRED: Watch the Introduction to Tax Law Webinar series before attending your first class.
Created by our partners at CASH MD, these videos introduce you to the fundamental concepts of tax law. It's important that you start here if you do not have prior tax knowledge.
LINK for 2026 season videos coming soon.
3. REQUIRED: Attend in-Person training in this order:
New Preparer 01: Tax Fundamentals and Additional Topics
New Preparer 02: Applied Skills and TaxSlayer Return Prep
New Preparer 03: Scenario Review and Certification Preparation
(complete step 5 before attending class 3)
4. Optional: Getting to Advanced training
If you are interesting in taking the Advanced exam (and being able to help more taxpayers), the Advanced Topics class covers additional topics covered on the Advanced test. Take this class AFTER the New Preparer classes.
5. REQUIRED IRS Trainings
Review this self-study material after attending your first in-person class and before attending your third in-person class "03: Scenario Review and Certification Preparation"
View both of the following IRS Training Modules
Pub. 5101, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Training
OR (Spanish. We will link to Spanish when the update is available).
6. Continue working on your exam (started in the 3rd in-person class)
Plan to complete your exam by January 26.
Before finalizing and submitting your exam, review the important warnings in the second link below.
7. REQUIRED: Attend the State Overview, CTA Intake and Exit class
8. Complete your exam and submit your volunteer agreement by January 26.
Click here for instructions.
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