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Make an Impact, Make a Difference: Join NYC Free Tax Prep as a Volunteer Tax Preparer This Coming Tax Season
October 23, 2025
Volunteer tax preparers receive free, professional training and are certified by the Internal Revenue Service
NEW YORK, NY – New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga is encouraging New Yorkers to give back to their community in celebration of National Make a Difference Day by becoming an NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer tax preparer for this coming tax season.
NYC Free Tax Prep volunteers receive free professional training and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) certification to help eligible New Yorkers file their taxes for free and claim valuable tax credits — including the recently expanded federal and New York Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the enhanced Child Tax Credit (CTC), and the NYC Earned Income Credit. These credits, now larger than before, increase refunds to thousands of dollars that directly support working families. With just a few hours of service a week at one of more than 140 NYC Free Tax Prep sites, volunteer tax preparers can help their neighbors claim tens of thousands of dollars in credits and keep their full refund. Volunteers can also serve as greeters or language interpreters at select sites.
“Giving back to your community and seeing the direct impact you have on someone’s life and economic future is incredibly fulfilling,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Becoming a volunteer tax preparer is easier than you might think, and our free training and IRS certification will teach you basic tax law and the filing software. With just a few hours a week, you can help New Yorkers keep their entire refund, which is often one of the largest checks they receive all year. I encourage anyone—especially those que hablan español and other languages—looking for a meaningful way to contribute to their community, to become a volunteer tax preparer. It’s a short-term commitment with lasting benefits for families across our city.”
Volunteering with NYC Free Tax Prep is not only a chance to give back, it’s also an empowering career development opportunity. Volunteers gain valuable and resume-enhancing financial, technical, and people skills through IRS-certified tax law training and real-world experience preparing returns, greeting clients, and providing language support. Many go on to pursue careers in finance, accounting, or public service, or continue volunteering year after year because of the deep connection they build with their communities. Last tax season, NYC Free Tax Prep volunteers helped New Yorkers file more than 110,000 returns, saving residents over $38 million in filing fees—money that stayed in families’ pockets and strengthened neighborhoods across the city.
New Yorkers who earned $97,000 or less and file as an individual or a family with qualifying children and/or dependents, and those who earned $68,000 or less and without qualifying children and/or dependents, are eligible to file for free using NYC Free Tax Prep. In addition to the training, volunteers commit to a minimum of one 4–8-hour shift per week over the course of the tax season. Volunteers are encouraged to learn about NYC Free Tax Prep volunteer opportunities now by signing up through our online volunteer registration form or attending an informational session, which are currently being offered weekly through December. Volunteers can also start reviewing the training materials by visiting the IRS Link & Learn site and New York Cares’ online information sessions and training opportunities. Visit nyc.gov/volunteertaxprep or contact 311 for more information or to sign up.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Stephany Vasquez Sanchez / Milo Gringlas
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov