Oregon Is Sitting on $100 Million in Unclaimed Tax Credits and Needs Volunteers to Help Unlock It

By Lucille McNamara On Oct 24, 2025

The Oregon Department of Revenue is seeking volunteers to assist in preparing taxes for elderly individuals and low- to moderate-income families.

Oregon needs more volunteers to help these residents gain access to unclaimed tax credits that could serve as the starting point for stronger financial security, says Oregon’s Tax Advocate, Codi Trudell.

Many People Find Completing Tax Returns an Onerous Task

Trudell says the complexity of filing tax returns poses a hurdle for many taxpayers, and that is the area where volunteers play an important role. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) are the two programs offered to volunteers.

$100 Million in Unclaimed Tax Credits Are Available

Unclaimed tax credits are estimated to be in the region of $100 million, and it is believed that one in five Oregon taxpayers is eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, says the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Although tax credit sites in the state have increased to 108 from 104 in 2024, and the number of taxpayers that can be served has increased from 33,000 last year to 38,000 in 2025, a lack of volunteers forces these offices to turn away requests for assistance.

Volunteers work with a sponsoring organization to receive training, either online or in a classroom. Operating hours are flexible, with tax sites open at night and on weekends. Organizations wishing to partner with the IRS to sponsor or host a free tax preparation site in the state must complete and submit the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign-Up form.

Fifteen VITA sites are funded by the Oregon Department of Human Services Tax Infrastructure Grant Program.