Volunteer training resources

 

VITA/TCE training supplement

Publication 4491-X, VITA/TCE Training Supplement PDF contains new tax law training and other updates to the VITA/TCE training products. Volunteer tax preparers and course instructors must complete the supplemental training in this publication before assisting taxpayers. Typically, this publication is available on IRS.gov in mid-January of each year to download for training purposes. See also the Other Technical Resources and Training Products section at the bottom of this page.

VITA/TCE student and instructor training materials

Volunteer tax preparation training uses a process-based approach to engage each student in the return preparation process. Role play and demonstrations on how to use the technical tools to complete an accurate return are used extensively. Students may use the following training materials for the Basic, Advanced, Military and International courses:

The electronic version of these courses is also on Link & Learn Taxes (L&LT). For ordering guidance and other information, please consult your local IRS-SPEC tax consultant.

VITA/TCE instructor training guidance

Instructor guidance is available to volunteer instructors on IRS.gov. Publication 4555-E, VITA/TCE e-Instructor Guidance PDF, contains information for instructors who teach volunteers how to prepare tax returns using Link and Learn Taxes or the VITA/TCE training guide (Publication 4491). The instructor guidance contains the following information:

  • Instructor preparation tools
  • Checklist for teaching each lesson
  • Lessons, problems, exercises and online tools for each curriculum
  • Answers to frequently asked instructor questions
  • Links to online and ordered training resources

While all volunteers are encouraged to take the test online for electronic grading, immediate feedback and certification, the answers to the applicable Test/Retest (Publication 4189) will be made available electronically to instructors, site coordinators, and IRS-SPEC territory managers through Link & Learn Taxes once they pass the certifications with a score of 80% or higher. Instructors may find other helpful information in Publication 5683, VITA/TCE Handbook for Partners and Site Coordinators PDF.

Foreign student and scholar return preparation products

The course is designed as a stand-alone training resource. It can also be used in conjunction with the Basic and Advanced VITA/TCE course content using Link and Learn Taxes online.

Additional resources are listed below and are available through an IRS-SPEC tax consultant or on IRS Forms, instructions and publications.

Resident of Puerto Rico products

Other technical resources and training products

All volunteer return preparers including instructors are encouraged to visit the Partner and volunteer resource center for the latest information about technical issues and program updates. The following are additional technical resources for volunteer return preparation training: