One of the services that the United Way of South Central Tennessee provides is titled VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. That program was available here in Moore County at one time, and did a land office business providing free tax service to Moore County residents – until COVID hit. After COVID, the program never restarted for lack of volunteers.

United Way is working to start the program back up here in Moore County, and is seeking volunteers to make it happen. Volunteers would be trained and IRS certified. Training will be right here in Lynchburg, at the Moore County Public Library. The work would also be conducted at the library, with a schedule set for Tuesdays from noon until 5 p.m.

Two volunteers would make it possible, three volunteers would be even better, opening up the possibility to prepare taxes two days per week. For those wishing to volunteer but not excited about doing taxes, there are positions for greeter/intake coordinator, scheduling, and office support. Volunteering with a friend could be fun, the more the merrier. As they say, many hands make light work. Volunteers will be needed from November 2026 through May 2027.

The service is free to residents, and households with a single or combined income up to $84,000 are eligible. The service is for simpler tax returns, mostly those using standard deductions. Business or farm taxes, which usually involve itemizing deductions, would not be eligible.

This free tax service is offered by the United Way through a grant from the IRS. The tax preparers will be IRS certified, and neither volunteers nor residents would even have to leave Lynchburg for their training or tax preparation. This is a win/win for all involved, and a valuable service for many of the county’s residents.

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Shannon Bauer at 615-893-7303, ext. 1017, or by email at shannonbauer@yourlocaluw. org.