2026 RAISE Texas VITA Conference

Austin, Texas | September 22-23, 2026

The 2026 RAISE Texas VITA Conference will bring together VITA staff, volunteers, and partners from across Texas and the country for two days of learning, idea sharing, and connection. While the conference is focused on strengthening Texas VITA networks, we are also excited to welcome participants from other states to share experiences, strategies, and lessons learned. The conference will include practical sessions, program ideas you can put into practice, and opportunities to connect with others doing this important work in communities across the country.
 
This year’s conference will also include a unique opportunity to visit Foundation Communities’ Prosper Tax Help Center, offering a firsthand look at how their model operates and delivers impact. During the recent tax season, Foundation Communities and its partners prepared 15,650 tax returns, returning more than $25.8 million in refunds to the community. In partnership with Prosper Financial Wellness, 1,800 clients also saved more than $17 million by directing a portion of their tax refunds into savings accounts.
 
To encourage meaningful connection and peer learning, conference attendance will be intentionally limited in size. We are holding space for 100 Texas VITA participants and 50 participants from other states, so we encourage you to register early.
 
Register HERE.
 
Explore the draft agenda and session topics HERE.
 

Find discounted room blocks at three Austin hotels here: 2026 VITA Conference Hotel Options. 

Additional conference details, including information about a limited number of travel scholarships for Texas participants, will be announced soon.

Highlights from the 2024 RAISE Texas VITA Conference

In 2024, RAISE Texas brought together 87 staff and volunteers from 46 Texas VITA programs for a collaborative conference focused on sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and exchanging innovative ideas. The convening featured a tour of the BakerRipley Tax Center, the country’s largest VITA program, which completes over 36,000 tax returns each tax season.

2024 VITA Presentations (* = slides)
Building a Stronger Financial Future: How IRS Direct File and the Inflation Reduction Act Benefit Texans
Rebecca Thompson, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury
Ronald Newman, Senior Advisor, IRA Program Office, U.S. Dept. of Treasury

Emerging Issues in Low Income Taxpayer Clinics*
Mandi Matlock, JD, Staff Attorney, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

How Harris County Supports and Benefits from VITA
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Skill-Building Sessions
Tax Credit Messaging: Pitching Strategies for Local VITA Funding and Peer Feedback*
Jenna Severson, Senior Communications Strategist, Economic Security Project

Mastering ITIN Applications: Everything You Need to Know* 
Janet Herrgesell, Certifying Acceptance Agent and Senior Tax Program Manager, Foundation Communities 

Wellness in the Trenches: Self-Care Strategies During Tax Season 
Nicole Milton, Training Manager, Mental Health America of Greater Houston 

Mastering Seasonal Staffing: Hiring & Internship Strategies* 
Ariel Carballo Jones, and Markitha Labbe, Talent Management, BakerRipley Raymond Nguyen, Director, BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Centers

National Partner Forums
TaxSlayer Q&A 
Kim Manuel, TaxSlayer

Code for America Research and Q&A (Get Your Refund)*
Rae Pilarski, Associate Program Director
Jazmin Estrada, Partner Support Specialist

VITA Program Highlights
Del Mar College VITA Program* 
Adria Palacios Vasquez, CPA, Assistant Professor of Accounting

Dallas Community Tax Centers* 
Sofia Sanchez-Morales, Senior Program Manager, Foundation Communities

BakerRipley Neighborhood Tax Center Tour & Documents
About BakerRipley*
Volunteer Program*
Volunteer Handbook*
Client Intake Survey*
Client Intake Form*
Red Tracking Sheet*
Paper and In-Progress Blue Tracking Sheet*

Copyright © 2026 RAISE Texas ™
PO Box 303111, Austin, TX 78703
info@raisetexas.org

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Your contribution to RAISE Texas will support our work across the state, providing stakeholder convenings, training, advocacy, and resources to create a brighter future for Texas families and communities.