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. Organizations that partner with the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are looking for people to do basic tax returns for free.

Assistance for elderly

Volunteers also are 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 program 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.”

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 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 people who can’t afford 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,” 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.

Free training

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 organization may have additional training requirements. Across the country, organizations 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 also are 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.

Military program

The military also has a volunteer tax assistance program. The Armed Forces Tax Council helps military personnel prepare and file their returns.

The organizations will need people to get trained fast. Meagher said that typically there is a rush of people looking for help at the beginning of February. Things then slow down a bit but pick up again as the filing date in April approaches.

If you aren’t interested in preparing taxes, that’s OK. There’s plenty else you can do. The organizations also need people as greeters and screeners. The latter job entails determining whether people qualify for free tax preparation. VITA is available to low- to moderate-income individuals generally with adjusted gross incomes of $40,000 and below.