Be the reason someone rises

You don’t need to be a tax expert to change lives. We’ll give you the skills you need to help families stay housed, students start a trade school or college, and workers build brighter futures.

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Real impact

You don’t just file taxes — you change lives.

In 17 years with Ladder Up, I’ve prepared over 7,000 tax returns and helped clients secure nearly $10 million in refunds. I keep coming back for the challenge – and the joy of helping families achieve the best possible outcomes.

Tom Scott

Volunteer roles

With just a few short shifts, you can help make big lifts to people’s lives. See how you can help:

Client services

Client Welcome & Intake Volunteer
Be the first friendly face clients meet. Sit with clients to understand their needs, confirm eligibility, and organize documents so they can access free tax services.

No experience? No problem. We’ll give you all the training you need to feel confident helping clients and making a real difference.

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Tax filling support

Tax Preparation & Reviewer Volunteer
Work side-by-side with clients to prepare federal and state tax returns, helping them claim the refunds and credits they’ve earned.

And with a little extra training, you can serve as a Quality Reviewer, double-checking tax returns for accuracy and walk clients through the results.

Training’s easy, even if you’ve never done taxes. We’ll teach you everything you need to know.

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Volunteer translators needed

Our city and country speaks in many voices. And we’re proud of every one.

Help bridge the language gap by translating documents and conversations so every return is accurate, and every voice is heard. If you speak Spanish, Mandarin, Polish, or Ukrainian, get in touch — your skills can make a powerful impact.

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Become a volunteer in 3 easy steps

Step 1

Create an account

Sign up through our volunteer hub to get started. You’ll have access to everything you need in one place.

Step 2

Start your training

Choose online or in-person training, and we’ll guide you through certification.

Step 3

Help clients rise

Once you’ve completed training, you’re ready to volunteer at one of our Illinois, Chicagoland, or South Bend, Indiana locations.

Join the Ladder Up volunteer community

Sign up for our newsletter to hear about upcoming opportunities, training dates, and stories of the lives we change.

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Join us as we grow

Register as a volunteer and you can help change families’ lives in Illinois, Chicagoland or South Bend, Indiana locations—and we’re opening new sites every year.

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Got questions?

If you’re curious about volunteering—whether it’s training, time, or what to expect—our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us

FAQS

We are a nonprofit giving hardworking people the resources and confidence to move up the economic ladder through free tax preparation and financial aid services.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and limited-English-speaking taxpayers. Certified volunteers provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing.

No prior tax experience is required. Ladder Up provides free training and certification, and local Ladder Up sites often offer additional support and mentoring. Many volunteers come from non-tax backgrounds. A sharp mind and a sharp pencil are all the tools you need to help.

Volunteers can serve in different roles, including: 
Greeters/intake specialists (welcome taxpayers, explain process)
Tax preparers (prepare basic tax returns)
Quality reviewers (double-check tax returns)
Interpreters (assist taxpayers with limited English proficiency)

It’s flexible. Many volunteers commit 3–5 hours per week during tax season (January–April), but schedules vary by site. Even a few hours of your time can make a big difference. Try it. You will love Ladder Up.

Ladder Up offers training for new and returning volunteers. Volunteers complete IRS certification training with Ladder Up online or in-person. Training covers tax law, use of tax software, and IRS standards for confidentiality and accuracy. Depending on the role, you may need to pass an open-book test.

Gain valuable skills in tax preparation and customer service

Give back to your community by helping individuals and families maximize their refunds

Build your resume and skills helping others in need

In some cases, volunteers may qualify for continuing education credits (for tax professionals, legal professionals, or educators)

You can register here and find a Ladder Up site near your community.