VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

United Way of Hunterdon County works to strengthen local families, especially those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) community who are working hard but struggling to get by. We focus on financial stability, education, and health — including expanding access to youth mental-health support. Through programs like VITA tax assistance, financial-wellness coaching, school-supply drives, and year-round community services, we help neighbors move from crisis to stability and, ultimately, to thriving. We’re a volunteer-driven network committed to making life better for everyone in Hunterdon County.

Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides free tax return preparation for low-to-moderate income Hunterdon County area residents. For tax year 2024, over 70 volunteers in our community helped to file 1,700+ returns, resulting in more than $1.8 million in refunds to Hunterdon County residents and employees.

Volunteers are the backbone of this program. Our volunteers help ensure that our hardworking neighbors who are in poverty or living paycheck to paycheck as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) get back every dollar they are due - putting them on a path to financial stability.

What volunteer opportunities are available?

• Tax preparer
• Front desk facilitator
• Translator

Who can volunteer for this program?

• Volunteers with availability between January to April
• Volunteers who prefer weekday, weekend, daytime or evening hours
• Adults who would like free training to become a volunteer IRS-certified income tax preparer
• And, you don't necessarily need tax preparation experience

What traits are you looking for in a volunteer?

This program prioritizes volunteers with backgrounds in accounting and finance, but know that we do have training for any adult with the capacity to learn how to become an IRS trained income tax preparer. We also encourage individuals with scheduling experience to help us in our administrative roles. We have high need for Spanish-speaking volunteers, especially to help with translation during client intake sessions.

For VITA volunteers working directly with clients, we ask that you are patient, kind, and that you serve all clients with dignity and respect that is free of bias or discrimination.