Michigan Seeks Volunteers to Expand Free Tax Preparation
The program helps low-income households avoid filing fees and keep more of their tax refunds.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Taxes
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The Michigan Department of Treasury is seeking volunteers to staff free tax preparation programs for the upcoming season. These services, which have operated for 50 years, assist low- to moderate-income residents with tax filing.
Why it matters
Expanding the volunteer pool helps address the current gap between the high demand for free tax assistance and the available staffing. For eligible households, these programs eliminate the need to pay for commercial tax preparation.
During the 2026 filing season, volunteers helped 90,000 Michigan households save $28.5 million in tax preparation fees while securing $153.8 million in total refunds. Demand currently exceeds the number of available volunteers for these programs.
The players
Michigan Department of Treasury
The state agency responsible for overseeing tax administration and coordinating public service volunteer initiatives.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
A national program providing free tax preparation services particularly focused on supporting seniors.
The details
Programs including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provide free support to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and English language learners. Prospective volunteers sign up through the online portal and complete mandatory IRS certification training. Training options are available both online and in person to prepare volunteers for the filing season.
Timeline
Volunteers served 90,000 households during the 2026 filing season.
Money Landscape
These volunteer-led initiatives remain a central pillar for maintaining equitable access to the tax system in Michigan. They serve as a long-standing public infrastructure alternative to private tax filing services.
Low- and moderate-income residents can prepare for the upcoming tax season by identifying these free local resources to avoid costly filing fees. If you are interested in volunteering, the certification process ensures you are ready to help others retain more of their tax refunds.
The takeaway
Free tax preparation remains a vital resource for households looking to maximize their refunds without paying out-of-pocket for service. Residents seeking assistance or wanting to volunteer should verify their eligibility and requirements through official state resources.
Further reading
For more on managing your annual filing obligations, visit Taxes.
More information
To register as a volunteer or find assistance for your household, visit the volunteer interest and assistance signup portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Mining Journal.
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