VITA

The Cooperative Ministry serves the working poor. Since 1982, our mission has been to increase the economic self-sufficiency of people experiencing poverty in Columbia and the Midlands through crisis assistance and financial sustainability programs.

Each year, The Cooperative Ministry and over 150 volunteers help families and individuals who are diligently trying to make ends meet file their taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.  The Cooperative Ministry’s VITA Program, sponsored by the IRS and other partners, offers free help to people who make a limited income and need help preparing their tax returns. 

Make a meaningful impact.

Last tax season, The Cooperative Ministry and the VITA program helped more than 8,500 of our neighbors file taxes for free, saving them $200 to $300 per return and helping them to secure critical tax credits that are some of the most effective anti-poverty tools out there.

Volunteering as a tax preparer is one of the most rewarding hands-on experiences out there – you learn a valuable skill while making a meaningful impact in our community. Our volunteers range in age from 20 to 90 years old and come from a variety of backgrounds. No prior experience with tax preparation is required – just a willingness to learn.

We’ll support you with classroom and online training before the season starts, as well as the help of experienced volunteers when you get on site. We have 18 sites across the Midlands where you can volunteer with sites open every day of the week. Each site is managed by a volunteer Site Coordinator that will be on-site and be your primary contact throughout the entire season.