Imagine the difference an extra $1,700 can make for a struggling family. That was the amount of the average return from our Tax Preparation program in 2011, and it added up to a staggering $18.1 million in refunds and credits for low-income New Yorkers.

Each tax season we recruit volunteers to help clients file taxes through this free program. We hold information sessions from October through December to share the requirements and impact of the program. You must attend one of these sessions to become a Tax Prep volunteer. If you've never volunteered with New York Cares before, you must also attend a one-hour new volunteer orientation.

We need 325 volunteers to help us reach more New Yorkers this tax season. Join us at an information session to see how you can be a part of this incredible program.

You Don't Have to Be a CPA to Help

Many of our tax preparers have little or no tax experience – all you need are basic math and computer skills. Our comprehensive two-part training gives you everything you need to become a certified IRS volunteer tax preparer.

Once you complete the online training (about 8-12 hours) and attend a practice session, you can sign up to volunteer on either one evening or daytime shift a week or every other Saturday for the duration of the tax season, January through April. You can pick from sites in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

Attend an Information Session to Get Started

We're holding information sessions from October through December to share the requirements and impact of the program. You must attend one of these sessions to become a Tax Prep volunteer.

If you've never volunteered with New York Cares before, you must also attend a one-hour new volunteer orientation.

Questions? Contact the Tax Prep team at 212.402.1473 or email tax.prep@newyorkcares.org.