Translated by H.B. Qin Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
Each tax season, Tzu Chi USA’s Atlanta Branch provides free tax-filing services (VITA) to help families, seniors, and those new to filing taxes. In 2026, the service ran from February 7 to April 11, every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3 PM.
During tax season, 41 volunteers from the Atlanta Branch took part, including those helping with tax filing, administration, and logistics. By working together, they helped 336 people complete their tax returns. The volunteers’ professionalism and enthusiasm gave residents from many backgrounds practical and caring support that truly made a difference.
Professional Oversight and Concerted Efforts
Tzu Chi USA’s Atlanta Branch VITA service is certified by the IRS. All tax filing volunteers must pass the required IRS certification exam before helping the public. This year, 30 volunteers joined the VITA service, many with years of experience in tax filing or related fields. Charles Simmons and Suyun Lin are both retired IRS employees, while Mary Webb, Yuchian Lu, and Hungshi Yu Hongxi currently work for the IRS. Hsiuching Huang and Ching Shi are financial advisors. Tzu Chi Collegiate Association volunteers (also known as Tzu Ching) from the University of Georgia and Emory University also joined the team to serve the public.
The VITA service is organized into three sections. First, volunteers guide people as they fill out forms. Next, they help create the tax return forms. Finally, there is a review of the forms, with each step equally important. Certified volunteers handle each section and give instructions. To better serve their neighbors from diverse backgrounds, the service also offered consultation and interpretation in Chinese, English, and Cantonese to ensure smooth communication.
While serving, volunteers also shared ideas and discussed issues together. When a complex situation arose, they worked as a team to verify the information and ensure each tax form was accurate and complete. This teamwork not only improved the service but also helped the volunteers grow and learn.
Forward-Looking Planning and Heartwarming Support
To get ready for tax season, the Atlanta Branch started planning at the end of 2025 and held an orientation on January 31, 2026. This helped all volunteers fully understand the service and tax filing processes. After the official service was launched, the administrative support team, led by Charles Sun, Director of Tzu Chi USA’s Atlanta Branch, and Meiching Chiue, administrative secretary, was responsible for scheduling appointments, sending reminders and notifications, preparing equipment, and providing on-site assistance for any unforeseen needs. This year, new members joined the volunteer team. Volunteer Donghsun Wu, too, was determined to assist with on-site services despite a leg injury, and this dedication was deeply admired by everyone involved.
Every Friday, catering volunteers prepared ingredients in advance, then cooked a healthy vegetarian lunch on Saturday for the hardworking tax-filing volunteers. Volunteer Meiching Chiue also brought fresh fruits and snacks for everyone. The vegetarian dishes were quite a hit, garnering earnest praise from both vegetarian and non-vegetarian volunteers.
During lunch breaks, Meiching Chiue showed her care and gratitude to all the volunteers, making everyone feel appreciated. While enjoying a hot meal, volunteers shared stories from their lives and their experiences with the service. Lunch became the most anticipated and relaxing time of the day.
A Sincere Response, a Cycle of Love
During tax season, many people expressed their appreciation for the service. First-time visitors learned about tax filing with the volunteers’ friendly guidance and patient explanations. Those returning for a second or third time were especially impressed by the volunteers’ professional and thoughtful help.
Ms. Enelida said she first filed her taxes with Tzu Chi two years ago and returned this year. She found the VITA service excellent, helpful, and close to home. The volunteers answered her questions, and she thought the process was even smoother than before. She said she would come again next year. Mr. Kuo also came for a second year. Smiling, he said the tax filing service was convenient and excellent, and he would certainly return.
On the last day of VITA service, a 92-year-old man came with his son-in-law to get help with tax questions and filing. Thanks to volunteer Chris’s kind and detailed help, he felt at ease. Afterward, he returned to thank Chris personally.
The volunteers were touched and happy to receive such heartfelt feedback, which strengthened their belief that this service truly helps those in need of support. While waiting for their documents to be reviewed, some people asked volunteers about Tzu Chi’s background and mission. After hearing about Tzu Chi’s focus on charity, medical care, education, and humanities, one resident was so moved that he decided to donate. Others took a bamboo bank home, hoping to collect small acts of kindness and return them later to help more people in need.
Lifting Hearts
The ten-week VITA service wrapped up successfully thanks to the volunteers’ teamwork and dedication. Seeing community members leave with completed tax forms, looking relieved and smiling, made the volunteers feel their efforts were truly worthwhile.
Before leaving, many people asked, “Will this service be available next year?” The volunteers always replied with a smile, “Of course! See you next year!” On the last day, the volunteers also said their goodbyes, promising to meet again. Tzu Chi volunteers, guided by professionalism and compassion, provided real help to the community, indeed. Their caring service eased the stress many face during tax filing, and lifted up the far-reaching power of community, allowing the cycle of support for others to touch more lives as these ripples expand.
