At tax time you can find lots of advice on how to boost your deductions or credits. People are focused mostly on getting as much money back from the government as possible.

But this tax season, perhaps you might give some thought to how you can give something back to others.

If you're not intimidated by federal or state tax forms, you could put that bravery to work by helping elderly or low-income people file their returns. Organisations that partner with the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are looking for people to do basic tax returns for free.

Volunteers are also needed for the agency's Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. With the average tax preparation fee about $200, such services are well appreciated by low-income families.

"That's a lot of groceries or gas to get to and from work," said Tom Meagher, campaign manager for the Fairfax CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) VITA programme in Northern Virginia. "This is the most satisfying volunteer experience that you can have. The customers are very appreciative of someone who gives of their time and skill to help with their taxes."

Mr. Meagher said the volunteer service helps people stay away from services and products they should avoid. One ill-advised product is a refund anticipation loan, or RAL, offered by some fee-charging commercial services. These are short-term, high-fee loans that are backed by a person's tax refund. Their appeal is that you get the money in a few days. But for years, consumer groups have complained that the loans are offered to the very people who can't afford to waste money on the fees. Volunteer services such as VITA don't market the loans.

Refunds filed through the volunteer services can come fast anyway. "We are e-filing and can direct deposit for a 10 to 11-day average refund deposit," Mr. Meagher said.

Volunteers are especially trained to help qualified low-income families take advantage of the earned-income tax credit (EITC). A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed. The EITC was created in 1975 as a way for working taxpayers with low incomes to shelter some of their earnings.

The training for the volunteer preparation program is free and does not require an overwhelming commitment. Applicants have to pass a certification test, which can be taken in a classroom or online through the IRS. To view the online test, go to www.irs.gov. In the search field type "link and learn." You make your way through the online lessons at your own pace and learn from case studies and interview simulations. You get basic training in how to prepare a simple tax return for individuals, including filling out Forms 1040, 1040EZ and 1040A.

In addition to the certification test, each volunteer organisation may have additional training requirements. Across the country, organisations offer a choice of online, self-study or hands-on training. Spanish-speaking volunteers are greatly needed. Beginner tax preparers are strongly urged to take basic classroom training. If you are interested in volunteering at a VITA near you, call (800) 829-1040.

The TCE program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older. AARP also provides free tax preparation to low- and middle-income taxpayers with special attention to those age 60 and older. Electronic filing and online counseling are also offered by the program. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call (888) 227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org/money/taxaide for information about volunteering.

Listen to Michelle Singletary discuss personal finance every Tuesday on NPR's "Day to Day." To hear her reports online go to www.npr.org. Readers can write to her c/o The Washington Post, 1150 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20081. Her e-mail address is singletarym(at)washpost.com. Comments and questions are welcome, but due to the volume of mail, personal responses may not be possible. Please also note comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.

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