Free Tax Filing Services: Volunteer Resources

Thank you for volunteering for the United Way’s VITA program!

Welcome to the Volunteer Resource webpage. Here you’ll find key dates for volunteer orientation, training, computer labs, and our tax season kickoff event to help you prepare for the tax season ahead. We will also add alerts to this page when new information regarding tax law becomes available.

ORIENTATION

Volunteer orientation will cover the training process, computer lab hours, materials and help you get started practicing returns and certifications. If you are a first-time volunteer, we will also help you select a location to serve at that fits your schedule.

Please register for an orientation session below. Sessions will be hosted at our Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale, unless otherwise noted. Dates for Pratt, Winfield, Wellington and Ark City orientations coming soon.

  • Tuesday, Dec. 8, 5:30 – 8 p.m. (For returning volunteers only.)
  • Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 – 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 30, 1 – 4 p.m., United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water St.
  • Thursday, Jan. 7, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

If you are unable to attend an in-person orientation, select the option to receive a recording of the session and arrange a time with Kristie to pick up your materials (contact info below).

Your Name:

TRAININGS

In-Person Training Sessions: Register Today!

Trainings will be hosted at the Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale St. Located on the back side of Parklane, near the large flagpole.

  • New Volunteers
    Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
    Not mandatory. Just another option.
  • Returning Volunteers
    Saturday, Jan. 16, 1 – 4 p.m.
    Will primarily cover new changes. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend. 
Your Name:
New! Computer and Software Training

Not comfortable with computers? We can help. This five-session, hands-on class gives you the practical, step-by-step training you need to use the technology involved in VITA, from basic computer skills and client intake to document recognition, VITA workflow, and TaxSlayer. Tax law is intentionally taught separately, so you can focus on building your technology skills here.

Sessions will be hosted at the Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale St. Located on the backside of Parklane, near the large flagpole. 

Registration is not required! The computer lab will be open after each session to continue practicing skills and getting help with specific topics.

  • Session 1: Computer Basics
    Thursday, Dec. 10, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Session 2: Tax Software Basics
    Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Session 3: Intake & Questions
    Thursday, Dec. 17, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Session 4: Income & Expense Documents
    Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1 – 3 p.m.
  • Session 5: Tax Appointment Simulation
    Thursday, Jan. 7, 1 – 3 p.m.

MARK YOU CALENDAR

Computer Lab Hours

This is an opportunity to practice entering tax returns, get help with specific topics, and work on certification tests. Site coordinators will be available to answer questions. No registration is needed.

The lab will be hosted at the Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale St. Located on the back side of Parklane, near the large flagpole. 

  • Thursday, Dec. 10, 3 – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 15, 3 – 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 17, 3 – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 5, 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 12, 3 – 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 14, 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 19, 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 21, 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 26, 3 – 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 28, 3 – 7 p.m.
State of Kansas Q & A Session

A recorded training covering state and property taxes will be emailed to volunteers prior to this session. Join us in-person at this session for a Q & A with a state tax rep.

  • Thursday, Jan. 21, 2 – 3 p.m.
    Hosted at the Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale St. Located on the back side of Parklane, near the large flagpole. 

Tax Filing Kickoff Day

We will host a kickoff for the tax season at the Parklane tax site, 939 S. Glendale St., on Saturday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Two hour volunteer shifts will be available. New volunteers will be paired with returning volunteers to complete their first returns. More details to come! 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Kristie Costa, United Way VITA Program Manager, at kcosta@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4215.