Topeka Volunteers File Free Tax Returns for Thousands

Tax season doesn't have to mean expensive preparation fees or computer headaches, thanks to volunteers making tax filing accessible for everyone.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program brings trained volunteers to locations across Topeka, Kansas, offering free tax preparation to people who can't afford professional services. With the April deadline approaching next week, these volunteers are working overtime to help neighbors complete their returns.

"Not everybody can afford to pay to get their returns done, so we have some people who have some knowledge and get trained," says Joni Sackman, a VITA site coordinator. The volunteers specifically learn personal income tax preparation, ensuring they can handle common situations like wages and pension income.

The program serves a critical need in the community. Many people don't have computers or feel comfortable using tax software. Others simply don't understand which income is taxable or how to navigate the paperwork.

VITA welcomes anyone within their income guidelines, but volunteers can't help with specialized situations like cryptocurrency investments or bankruptcy filings. For the vast majority of taxpayers with straightforward returns, though, the service provides exactly what they need.

Why This Inspires

Beyond saving people money, VITA volunteers offer something equally valuable: understanding. When clients feel upset about owing taxes, volunteers take time to explain why and help them plan for next year. They review documents people bring in and guide them on what to collect for future tax seasons.

The work fills Sackman with purpose. "It's pretty fulfilling at times," she says, knowing volunteers remove both financial and emotional barriers that make tax season stressful.

There's no shame in seeking help, and the volunteers genuinely want to be there. They see neighbors who work hard, people on fixed incomes, and families trying to do the right thing. Each completed return represents one less person struggling alone with confusing forms.

The program continues running sessions at multiple Topeka locations through the end of tax season, and bringing last year's tax return plus current documents helps the process go smoothly.

These volunteers prove that expertise shared freely can lift entire communities, one tax return at a time.