2013 – 2014 Campus Fellow
Intermediate Training:
January Refresher
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Due Date of Return
Due Date:
April 15, 2014
Exemptions
• The amount a taxpayer can deduct for each
exemption increased to $3,900 for 2013.
Standard Deductions: 2013
MFJ or QW $12,200
Head of Household $8,950
Single or MFS $6,100
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Social Security Benefits
• Sometimes a taxpayer may receive Social
Security payments for previous years
• Taxpayers can either:
– Report the amount for the previous years as income
for the current tax year (2013)
– Use the Lump Sum Election Method, and report the
amount for the previous years as income for the
previous years (and thus pay any taxes on it based
on previous years’ income)
Lump Sum Election Method
• Lump Sum Election Method is out of scope for
basic volunteers
• In order to compute the taxable benefits, you
will need copies of the taxpayer’s prior year
returns (to get their AGI)
Social Security Benefits: SSA-1099
Total benefits
Medicare
premiums
Lump-Sum
Benefit
Payments
Don’t miss
withholding!
Reporting Lump-Sum Benefits
• Option 1: Report the whole payment as it was
received
– Enter the whole payment on the first line (SS
received this year)
– Same step as in Basic Training!
OPTION 1: Lump Sum Election Method
Link Line 20a  1040 Wkt 1
• Social Security
received this year
• Medicare
• Federal Tax
Withheld
Reporting Lump-Sum Benefits
• Option 2: Separate payments based on year
received and record taxable benefits
appropriately
– Only the current year income will be adjusted
– Do NOT file an amended return
– Taxpayer can choose 2nd option if it lowers the
taxable benefits (TaxWise will automatically
determine which is more beneficial)
OPTION 2: Lump Sum Election Method
Link Line 20a  1040 Wkt 1
• Social Security
received this year
• Medicare
• Federal Tax
Withheld
• Then scroll to the
bottom of the sheet
OPTION 2: Lump Sum Election Method
• Enter the benefits for 2013 on the gross amount
received line
• Click on the amounts taxable from previous
years line and type F9 to pull up a Lump Sum
Wkt
OPTION 2: Lump Sum Election Method
• Enter the earlier year for which the benefits
were received and the filing status
OPTION 2: Lump Sum Election Method
• Line 1: Enter the amount of benefits received in
prior year and amount for prior year received
in current year
• Line 3: Enter the AGI for prior year
Lump Sum Election Method
• Step 1: Enter Box 5 total in the Social Security received this year line on
1040 Wkt 1
• Step 2: Calculate amount paid for current tax year by subtracting prior
years from Box 5 benefits
• Step 3: Enter in appropriate box at bottom of worksheet
• Step 4: Link to Lump Sum Wkt from line Amounts Taxable from Previous Years
• Step 5: Enter pertinent prior year at top of Lump Sum Wkt (e.g., 2012) and
check appropriate marital status for that year
• Step 6: On Line 1, enter amount of benefits received in prior year and
amount for prior year received in current year
• Step 7: On Line 3, enter AGI for prior year
• Step 8: One Lines 4 and 5, enter adjustments/exclusions and tax-exempt
interest amounts for prior year
• Step 9: Close worksheet; repeat steps 4-8 for additional prior years
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
2012 State Tax Refund
• The 2012 State Tax Refund may be taxable
and need to be reported
• Answer question in Box under line 9
• If YES, link: Line 10  State Tax Refund
• Complete the State Tax Refund Wkst with
information from 2012 return
Info Needed from 2012 Return
•
•
•
•
•
•
State refund amount
Schedule A, line 5a: Income Taxes
Schedule A, line 5b: General Sales Tax
Total itemized deductions amount
Filing status
Taxable income amount
State Tax Refund in TaxWise
• Enter in the
amount for:
– State refund
amount (line 1)
– Sch A, line 5a:
income taxes
(line 2)
– Sch A, line 5b:
general sales
tax (line 2)
State Tax Refund in TaxWise
• Enter in the amount
for:
– Total itemized
deductions (line 6)
– Filing status (line 7)
– Taxable income
amount (line 12)
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Business Income
• Income from personal business or independent
contractor
• Income can be reported on:
– 1099-MISC
– W-2 (Statutory Employee)
– Personal records
– 1099-K
• Link: Line 12  Sch C-EZ or C
Business Income
• We can file a Schedule C or C-EZ if the taxpayer
meets the following:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Cash method of accounting
No inventory
Does not want to depreciate
No net loss
Only one business (if taxpayer owns a business)
No employees during the year
Had business expenses of less than $10,000
• Schedule C-EZ less than $5,000
• Schedule C up to $10,000
1099-MISC
Box 7
“Nonemployee
Compensation”
1099-MISC
• Income reported in Box 7 on a 1099-MISC is
considered self-employment income and should
be reported on a Schedule C-EZ or Schedule C
– Link: Line 12  Sch C-EZ or Sch C
– Then, Link: Gross Receipts Line  1099-MISC
1099-MISC
ONE MORE TIME:
Income reported in Box 7 on a 1099-MISC is
considered self-employment income and
should be reported on a Schedule C-EZ or a
Schedule C
Schedule C-EZ and Schedule C
• Net profit = Gross Receipts – Expenses
• Deductible expenses
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Advertising
Insurance
Interest
Legal and professional services
Repairs
50% of business entertainment
Utilities
Vehicle expenses (additional information needed for Part III
of the C-EZ or Part IV of the C, Pg. 2)
– See your campus fellow manual Tab 5 for more details
Business Mileage Rates
• If used for business purposes, taxpayers can
receive a mileage deduction at the federal
rate
– Cannot deduct commuting miles
• Cannot calculate depreciation (out of scope)
• For 2013, the following rate is in effect:
– 56.5 cents per mile
– On Sch C-EZ and Sch C, enter total miles
Business Income
• Line F (Sch C-EZ) or Line I (Sch C)
– Did the business make any payments in 2013 that
would require filing of Form(s) 1099?
• Line 1 (Income) structured differently:
– 1a: Merchant card and third party payments (for 2013
enter -0-)
– 1b: Gross receipts or sales not entered on line 1a
– 1c: Income reported to you on Form W-2 (if the
“statutory employee” box on that form was checked)
– 1d: Total gross receipts
Schedule C in TaxWise:
Income
1a: Merchant card
& third party sales
1b: Gross receipts
on on 1a
1c: Income reported
on W2 if the
“statutory
employee” box is
checked
1d: TaxWise
calculates total
gross receipts
Schedule C in TaxWise:
Expenses
Enter in the
amounts for the
qualified business
expenses
Schedule C in TaxWise:
Vehicle Expense
Enter in the
amounts and
answer the
questions
TaxWise carries
over the mileage
for you
Schedule C-EZ in TaxWise
Enter in the
business
information
Schedule C in TaxWise:
Income & Expenses
1a: Merchant card
& third party sales
1b: Gross receipts
on on 1a
1c: Income reported
on W2 if the
“statutory
employee” box is
checked
1d: TaxWise
calculates total
gross receipts
2: Total expenses
(Link to a scratch pad)
Self Employment Tax
• Must file Schedule SE if self-employment
earnings are over $400
• Covers Social Security and Medicare taxes
• Complete Schedule C or C-EZ first
• TaxWise automatically calculates the tax onto
Line 56
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Types of Retirement Plans
• Pension: A series of payments for past work
• Annuity: A series of payments from a contract
with a company, trust, or individual
• 401(k) Plan: The employer contributes part of
the employee’s cash wages to a retirement plan
on a pre-tax basis (not subject to income tax
when deferred)
Form 1099-R
Taxable Portion of Distributions
• Depending on employee contributions, income
from retirement plans can be:
– Fully Taxable if:
• Employee did NOT contribute (all $ came from employer)
• Employee contributed with before-tax money
– Partially Taxable if:
• Employees contributed part of funds with after-tax money
– Not Taxable if:
• Employee made ALL contributions with after-tax dollars (i.e.
Roth IRAs)
Important Note
You can only prepare returns for retired
individuals ONLY if the taxable amount of the
retirement distribution has already been
determined
If Box 2a is empty,
FIND YOUR SITE COORDINATOR
Lines 15/16:
Retirement
(Form 1099-R)
Railroad Retirement Plans
• RRB 1099
– Treated like SSA-1099 (social security benefits)
• RRB-1099-R
– Treated like 1099-R (pension)
Rollover (Tax-Free Distribution)
(Code G will be in Box 7 of the 1099-R)
Enter the amount
the taxpayer rolled
over
Check the Box
and type F9
Provide an
explanation
Defined Benefits Retirement Plans
IF IT IS A DEFINED BENEFITS PLAN, CLICK BOX 1
ON THE BOTTOM OF THE 1099-R IN TAXWISE
Defined Benefits & Defined
Contributions
• Defined Benefits:
– Taxpayer receives a set amount each month for
retirement and is based on salary history and
years which they worked at a company.
• Defined Contributions:
– Taxpayer's retirement depends on the amount of
contributions made into an investment account and
the performance of those investments contributed.
• Examples: 401(k), 403(b), employee stock ownership
plan, profit-sharing plan.
Alabama Tax Rules
• Defined Benefits Plan: A promised benefit is based on
a formula in the plan, often using a combination of the
employee’s age, years worked for the employer, and/or
salary
– Contributions from employee, employer, or both.
– Employer bears investment risk.
• Defined Contributions Plan: The benefit depends on
contributions made by the employee and/or the
employer, performance of the account’s investments, and
fees charged to the account.
– Employee bears investment risk.
Alabama Tax Rules
• Defined Benefits Plans are NOT taxable at the
Alabama level.
• To find out if a plan is Defined Benefits or
Defined Contributions
– Consult online list (www.impactalabama.org) or
your Campus Fellow Manual
– Call the company that administers the plan
Hint: All retired civil servants
– Call the IRS
(i.e. teachers, city employees, soldiers, etc)
have Defined Benefits plans
See Tab 5 in your Campus Fellow Manual for more info at the tax site
Alabama Tax Rules
IF IT IS A DEFINED BENEFITS PLAN, CLICK BOX 1
IN TAXWISE
Practice
Joe has been receiving his retirement payments
for several years and has received a 1099-R.
When you ask him if he knows what kind of plan
it is, he says he has no idea but he knows it is
from his employment as a teacher. Is this a
defined benefits or defined contributions plan?
Practice
Joe has been receiving his retirement payments
for several years and has received a 1099-R.
When you ask him if he knows what kind of plan
it is, he says he has no idea but he knows it is
from his employment as a teacher. Is this a
defined benefits or defined contributions plan?
Defined benefits plan
All civil servants will have a defined benefits plan.
Practice
Maria began receiving her retirement payments
this year and was issued a 1099-R. She tells you
that this is being drawn from an investment
account that she would contribute to and her
former employer would match that contribution.
Is this a defined benefits plan or defined
contributions plan?
Practice
Maria began receiving her retirement payments
this year and was issued a 1099-R. She tells you
that this is being drawn from an investment
account that she would contribute to and her
former employer would match that contribution.
Is this a defined benefits plan or defined
contributions plan?
Defined contributions plan
Practice
Charles has been receiving his retirement for
seven years. Every month, he receives $100. Is
this a defined benefits plan or defined
contributions plan?
Defined benefits plan
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Adjustments to Income
• Decreases Taxable Income
• Found on lines 23-25 of Form 1040
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Educator Expenses
Half of Self-Employment Tax
Early Withdrawal Penalty
Alimony
IRA (traditional) Contributions
Student Loan Interest
College Tuition Payments
Jury Duty
Educator Expenses
• Eligible Educators:
– K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or
aide
– Worked at least 900 hours
• Qualified Expenses (up to $250):
– Ordinary and necessary amounts
– Books
– Supplies
– Equipment
Educator Expenses:
Link: Line 23  1040 Wkt2
• Enter qualified expenses up to $250 for each
person.
• If taxpayer and spouse are both eligible
educators, can deduct up to $500.
Half of Self-Employment Tax
• Offsets the tax burden placed on individuals
who do not have employers to pay half of their
taxes.
• TaxWise will automatically calculate this
adjustment if you have completed a Schedule
C-EZ or a Schedule C.
Penalty on Early Withdrawal of
Savings
• TaxWise will automatically calculate from
information on the Interest Statement
• TaxWise automatically calculates the adjustment
on Line 30
• Make sure you entered in ALL interest and
penalties imposed correctly on the Schedule B
Important: Make sure you have
entered in ALL interest received AND penalties imposed
for early withdrawals on
the Interest Statement of Schedule B
Alimony Paid
• Payment to a spouse or former spouse under a
divorce/separation agreement
– Child support and voluntary payments are NOT
considered alimony
– Alimony received is considered income
• Deduct total alimony paid for the whole year,
not just one month
• Enter in amount and recipient’s SSN on Line 31
IRA Contributions Deduction
• IRA: Individual Retirement Arrangements
– Personal savings plan that offers tax advantages
to set aside money for retirement
– Earnings and gains on contributions are not taxable
until withdrawal
– Contributions to a traditional IRA can be either
deductible or nondeductible
IRA Deduction: Deductible Contributions
• Eligibility Requirements:
– Only contributions to a traditional IRA are
deductible
– Age Limit: must be under the age of 70 ½ at the
end of the tax year
– Compensation: must have taxable compensation
– Time Limit: Contributions must be made by due
date of filing the return
IRA Deduction: Joint Returns
• If the taxpayers file a joint return and one
spouse’s compensation is greater than the
other’s:
– Married taxpayers’ combined contributions cannot
exceed combined compensation
– Neither spouse can contribute more than $5,000
($6,000 if > age 50)
IRA Deduction: Allowable Deduction
• The allowable deduction may be adjusted
based on
– Filing status
– Income
– Whether or not the taxpayer/spouse is covered by
an employer retirement plan
IRA Deduction: Penalties
• Taxpayers may incur penalties for
– Excess contributions
– Early withdrawals
– Too little withdrawals
IRA Deduction: Excess Contribution
• Contributions for 2013 can be made up until
the due date of the return (i.e. April 15, 2014).
• An excess contribution above these limits and
any earnings on it will be taxed.
– They should still be reported on Form 8606
– If the taxpayer has made excess contributions, refer
them to a professional preparer!
IRA Deduction:
Link: Line 32  IRA Wkt
Student Loan Interest
• Up to $2,500 of interest paid on loan in the name of a:
– Taxpayer
– Spouse
– Dependent (when the loan was obtained)
Note: Student must have been enrolled at least half-time in
a program leading to a degree, certificate,
or other credential
Student Loan Interest: Eligibility
• School IS:
– Accredited
– Qualified to participate in a student aid program or
conduct internship/residency programs leading to a
degree or certificate
• Taxpayer IS NOT:
– Filing MFS
– Able to be claimed as a dependent
– If the taxpayer cannot be claimed as a dependent but
her parents paid the student loan interest, the student
can claim the deduction
Tuition and Fees Deduction
• Tuition amounts paid by the taxpayer are
reported on a 1098-T and can be entered as
an adjustment or a credit
• The deduction can be claimed for the
taxpayer, spouse or any qualified dependent
• Only out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed;
you must subtract amounts paid with
scholarships and grants
Tuition and Fees Deduction
• Taxpayers can deduct up to $4,000 in
qualified tuition and related expenses; NOT
BOOKS
• Link: Line 34  1040 Wkt2
Student Loan Interest:
Qualified Expenses
• Qualified expenses include tuition and fees
required for enrollment, usually reported on a
1098-E
• Expenses that do not qualify: room and board,
transportation, books, and supplies
• Must be reduced by scholarships, employerprovided benefits, or tax-free education
expenses
Jury Duty Pay Given to Employer
• Jury duty pay is taxable income.
• BUT if that pay is given to the employer, it can
be deducted as an adjustment.
• Enter the amount on Line 35, Jury duty pay you
gave to your employer.
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Itemized Deductions
• Every taxpayer can take a specific amount for
a “standard” deduction
– Reduces taxable income
• There are certain designated expenses that a
taxpayer can choose to list out separately, and,
if they total more than the standard deduction,
the taxpayer will “itemize” his deductions
– Reduces taxable income by a greater amount
When to Itemize
• A taxpayer can receive a larger deduction by itemizing
if he/she has:
– At the Federal Level (higher standard deduction):
• Home mortgage payment
• Large number of medical bills
– At the State Level (lower standard deduction):
• Expenses that may/may not have been sufficient to justify
itemization on the federal level
• Reported on Schedule A
Note: If a taxpayer is MFS and his/her spouse itemizes, the taxpayer must also
itemize, regardless of whether the Standard Deduction would be higher
Qualifying Expenses
•
•
•
•
•
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
Charitable Contributions
Taxes
Home Mortgage Interest
Miscellaneous Deductions
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
• A taxpayer can claim expenses for
– Him/Herself
– Spouse
– Dependents
• He/she can only deduct the amount that
exceeds
– 7.5% of his/her AGI on federal returns
– 4% of his/her AGI on state returns
Deductible Medical Expenses
•
•
•
•
•
•
Co-pays to doctor, dentist, eye doctor
Prescription drugs
Cost of glasses or hearing aids
Cost of medical equipment
Health insurance premiums
Long-term care insurance premiums (cap on amount based
on age)
• Cost of surgery, operations
• Miles to and from doctor
NOTE: For a complete listing of deductible and
nondeductible expenses see Pub 502 on the IRS website
Nondeductible Medical Expenses
•
•
•
•
Life insurance policy premiums
Funeral, burial, cremation costs
Unnecessary cosmetic surgery
Nonprescription drugs
NOTE: For a complete listing of deductible
and nondeductible expenses see
Pub 502 on the IRS website
Medical Expenses in Taxwise
(Click on the A Detail in the Loaded Forms Menu)
Enter in the amounts for:
•
•
•
•
Medical miles
Insurance
Medicare (carries over
from 1040 Wkt 1)
Other medical
expenses
(prescriptions, glasses,
etc.)
Charitable Contributions
• Qualifying
Organizations:
– Religious
– Charitable
– Educational
– Scientific
– Literary
• Non-qualifying
Organizations:
– Business
– Civic/Political
– Social
– Foreign
– Homeowners'
Associations
Charitable Contributions
• Deductible Items:
– Monetary donations
– Fair market value (FMV) of clothing, furniture
– Uniforms required to be worn during service
– Unreimbursed transportation expenses
IMPORTANT: The taxpayer must keep receipts!
Charitable Contributions
• Nondeductible Expenses:
– Raffle, bingo, lottery tickets
– Tuition
– Value of time of service
– Blood
– Contributions to individuals
– The FMV of any good received in exchange for a
donation (i.e. t-shirts, cds, tote bags, etc.)
Charitable Contributions in TaxWise
(Click on the A Detail in the Loaded Forms Menu)
Enter in the amounts
for:
• Charitable miles
• Charitable cash
contributions
• Uniforms required
for service
• FMV of other than
cash contributions
Taxes
• Deductible
– Taxes imposed on and paid by the taxpayer in
2013
• Nondeductible
– Taxes the taxpayer pays for someone else
– Taxes someone else pays for the taxpayer
– Taxes not paid during 2013
Taxes
• Deductible
– State and local taxes
– Real estate taxes
(Property Tax)
– State and local taxes
on a new car purchase
– Ad valorem tax on car
tags (total paid $24.50)
• Nondeductible
– Federal taxes
– Hunting licenses
– Water/sewer
– Taxes on alcohol,
tobacco, or gas
– Utilities
Taxes Paid in TaxWise
(Click on the Schedule A in the Loaded Forms Menu)
Enter in the amounts
for:
• City/county real
estate taxes (6)
• Personal property
taxes (7)
• Ad valorem tax,
make sure to
subtract $24.50
before entering
(8)
Taxes Paid in TaxWise
(Click on the Schedule A in the Loaded Forms Menu)
TaxWise
automatically chooses
5a or 5b:
• The amount for
income taxes
automatically fills
• Link: Line 5b 
Sales Tax
• Line 1: Enter in AL
• Line 3: Check Yes
and enter local
sales tax (6 for
Birmingham)
• Line 4: Check Yes
and enter 4
Home Mortgage Interest
Home Mortgage Interest in TaxWise
(Click on the Schedule A in the Loaded Forms Menu)
Enter the amounts
for:
• Home mortgage
interest and
points (10)
• Mortgage
insurance
premiums (13)
Nondeductible Interest
• Personal interest
– personal loans
– car loans
– credit cards
– etc.
Miscellaneous Deductions
• Union dues
• Uniforms (that cannot be worn in any other
circumstance)
• Professional books, journals
• Employment-related educational expenses
• Expenses for looking for a new job
• Tax preparation fee from last year
• Safe deposit box
• Gambling losses up to amount of winnings
Miscellaneous Deductions in TaxWise
(Click on the Schedule A in the Loaded Forms Menu)
Enter the amounts and
descriptions for:
• Employment: job travel,
union dues, job
education, literary
journal for work,
educator expenses (21)
• Tax prep fees (22)
• Safe deposit box (23)
• Miscellaneous: literal
journal not for work,
gambling losses from
W2-G (28)
Nondeductible Expenses
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Burial or funeral expenses
Wedding expenses
Fees and licenses
Fines, penalties, traffic tickets
Home repairs and insurance
Rent
Insurance premiums (except health and mortgage)
Losses from sale of home
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Education Credits
• Offset higher education expenses paid during
the year
– The student can be taxpayer, spouse, or a
dependent
• Partially Refundable
• Two types of credits available:
– American Opportunity Credit
– Lifetime Learning Credit
Education Credits: Eligibility
• Filing status cannot be MFS
• Qualified expenses paid by taxpayer
• CAN claim on the basis of expenses paid with
student loans
• Accredited institution
• Taxpayer or student will often receive Form
1098-T
Education Credits: Dependents
• When the student can be claimed as a
dependent,
– Taxpayer must claim credit if taxpayer claims the
exemption
– Student must claim credit if taxpayer does not
claim exemption
• If the taxpayer claims the dependency
exemption, any amount paid by the student is
considered to have been paid by the taxpayer
American Opportunity
(Hope) Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
Up to $2,500 per eligible student
Up to $2,000 credit per return
Available for the 1st 4 years of college
Available for all years
Student must be pursuing a degree or
recognized education credential
Student does not need to be pursuing a
degree or credential
Student must be enrolled at least half
time
Available for one or more courses
No felony drug conviction on student’s
record
Felony drug conviction does not apply
Expenses include tuition, fees, and course
materials
Expenses include only tuition and fees
Education Credits: Form 1098-T
Education Credits:
American Opportunity Credit
• 40% (up to $1,000) is refundable (unless the
taxpayer claiming the credit can be claimed as
a dependent by his/her parent)
• Qualified expenses include “Course materials”
(any required books and supplies, whether
available in regular bookstores)
Remember, room and board is never a qualified
expense.
Qualified Expenses for Credit
• American Opportunity (Hope) Credit
– Qualified tuition and related expenses
– Includes expenses for course materials (books,
supplies, and equipment needed for a course of
study, whether or not they were purchased from
institution)
Link:
Line 49  8863 Pg 1
Practice
James takes one course at a local community
college. He received a Form 1098-T showing
qualified tuition expenses of $1,000. He lives
with his parents, who can claim him as a
dependent. Who is entitled to claim the credit?
Which credit?
Practice
James takes one course at a local community
college. He received a Form 1098-T showing
qualified tuition expenses of $1,000. He lives
with his parents, who can claim him as a
dependent. Who is entitled to claim the credit?
Which credit?
If James’s parents claim him, they must claim the credit.
If James’s parents do not claim him, James must claim the credit.
Lifetime Learning Credit
Practice
LaQuandra is a sophomore enrolled at UAB full-time.
She provides all of her own support. She paid $10,000
in 2013 for tuition and fees for enrollment to UAB. She
received a tax-free scholarship worth $4,000, and paid
the rest from a student loan in her name. Can
LaQuandra claim an education credit? Which one?
How much of her expenses are qualified expenses?
Practice
LaQuandra is a sophomore enrolled at UAB full-time.
She provides all of her own support. She paid $10,000
in 2013 for tuition and fees for enrollment to UAB. She
received a tax-free scholarship worth $4,000, and paid
the rest from a student loan in her name. Can
LaQuandra claim an education credit? Which one?
How much of her expenses are qualified expenses?
Yes
American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit
Qualified expenses = $6,000
Education Credits: No Double Benefits
• The taxpayer CANNOT claim
– Both the American Opportunity (Hope) and Lifetime
Learning credits for the same qualified tuition
expenses
– Expenses paid with a tax-free scholarship, grant,
or other assistance, including Pell grants (in other
words, the taxpayer must subtract these
scholarships from the total expenses before
claiming either credit)
Foreign Tax Credit
• Taken if a taxpayer paid income tax to a
foreign country; U.S. possession; or political
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of a
foreign country
• Foreign tax paid > $300 is out of our scope!
• We may see some foreign tax reported on a
1099-DIV in Box 6
• Enter the amount of foreign tax paid on Line
47
Residential Energy Credit
• Nonrefundable credit
• Available to a taxpayer
– who made purchases for qualified energy efficient
improvements for his main home
– who owns his home
Residential Energy Credit
• Use Form 5695, Part I
• Eligible expenses include
– high-efficiency heat pumps, air conditioners, and
water heaters;
– energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation
materials, and certain roofs
Residential Energy Credit
• Non-Business Energy Property (home
improvements)
– Heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, insulation, roofs
water heaters (non-solar), windows, and doors.
– Part I of the 5695 (IN SCOPE)
• Residential Energy-Efficient Property Credit
– Solar panels, solar-powered water heaters, geothermal
heat pumps, photovoltaic systems, small wind energy
system, fuel cells
– Part II of the 5695 (OUT OF SCOPE)
Residential Energy Credit
Link: Line 52  5695 Pg. 1
Fill in 1a, b, and c
Residential Energy Credit
• Line 2: Enter any
amounts claimed
in the previous 4
years
• Line 3 (Qualified
energy efficiency
improvements):
– 3a: Insulation
– 3b: Exterior
doors
– 3c: Roof (metal
or asphalt)
– 3d: Exterior
windows
/skylights
Residential Energy Credit
• Line 6 (Residential
energy property
costs):
– 6a: Electric heat
pump, central air
conditioner, water
heather
– 6b: Natural gas,
propane or oil
furnace, hot water
boiler
– 6c: Main air
circulating fan used
in natural gas,
propane or oil
furnace
Residential Energy Credit
• Taxpayers MAY qualify for an energy credit
for qualified
• solar electric property costs
• solar water heating property costs
• small wind energy property costs
• geothermal heat pump property costs.
Important: This is outside scope of VITA
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Paper Returns: When to Mail
• Situations in which a return CANNOT be e-filed:
– A dependent has been claimed incorrectly by another
taxpayer on a previous return.
– The taxpayer has been incorrectly claimed as a
dependent on a previous return.
– A taxpayer files MFS but does not know his spouse's
SSN.
Note: Sometimes, tax returns cannot be e-filed OR the taxpayer
simply prefers to mail the return.
Preparing Paper Returns in TaxWise
• To set up the return to be filed as a paper
return:
– Federal: On the Main Info Sheet, scroll midway
down and click “Paper” next to Type of Return.
– State: On the AL40, scroll to the bottom and click
“No” stating that you do NOT want to e-file the
return.
Preparing Paper Returns in TaxWise
• Prepare the return as you would normally.
• Print two copies of everything – give one to the
taxpayer to keep and one copy to mail.
• Have the taxpayer sign the 1040 and the
AL40.
Paper Returns: Final Notes
• Paper returns take much longer to process than
e-filed returns.
• Refunds can still be directly deposited on a
paper return – just include this information in
TaxWise.
Amended Returns
• Once a tax return has been accepted by the
IRS, it cannot be changed without submitting an
amended return
• A taxpayer should amend his return if
– Anything was excluded that affects taxable income
OR
– Tax liability OR
– If anything was reported incorrectly
Amended Returns
• Common reasons returns must be amended:
– Taxpayer receives another W-2
– Taxpayer remembers another source of income
– Taxpayer wants to add itemized deductions
– A dependent was mistakenly claimed
Amended Returns
• If we completed the return, you will be able to
pull it up in TaxWise to amend it.
• If someone else completed the return, you will
need to re-key the original return that was
submitted (exactly as it was submitted) before
you can amend it.
Amended Returns: First Steps
BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES TO THE RETURN
• Add a 1040X
• IMPORTANT: On the 1040X, click the checkbox that says “Check this box to override”
• If the AL return must be amended, click the box
at the top of the AL40 that says “Amended
Return”
Amended Returns: Making Changes
• Once you check the appropriate boxes on the
1040X and the AL40, make any needed
changes to the tax return
– Add a new W-2
– Add or take off a dependent
– Change filing status
– Etc.
• All changes will be recorded on the 1040X
Amended Returns: Important Lines
• Line C: explains what changes are being made to
the tax return and why
• Line 15: indicates if the taxpayer already made a
payment
Note: A new amount owed or refunded will be
listed once ALL changes are made
Amended Returns: Filing
• Amended returns cannot be e-filed.
• Print
– 1040X and
– AL40 and
– any new schedules that have been added (if
applicable)
• Include documentation of changes (if necessary
– e.g., a new W-2).
Amended Returns: Final Notes
• Print the ENTIRE pdf for the taxpayer's records
(e.g., the 1040X and the resulting 1040 after
changes).
• Warn the taxpayer that it may take weeks for
the IRS to process an amended return.
• Refer the taxpayer to 1-800-829-1040 if they
have further questions about when the return
will be processed.
Practice
•
•
•
•
Complete the Fleming exercise on your own
Twonline.taxwise.com/training
Client ID: 778068
User Name: all caps, last name then first initial,
e.g. Seth Nelson NELSONS
• Password: user set OR if password gets reset,
password will be same as username
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Additional Topics on
2013 Advanced Test
• Pull out your “Helpful Tips for Additional Topics on the
2013 Advanced Test” packet
• The following topics will appear on the 2013 Advanced
Certification Exam BUT will be out of scope for you at
the tax site.
• Campus Fellows = SaveFirst Intermediate Level
• The following topics MUST be performed by an Impact
Site Coordinator (or SaveFirst Advanced Level) at the
site.
– Capital gains (sale of stock, capital loss carryover)
– Retirement Income with Taxable Amount Not Determined
– Schedule K-1: Interest Income, Royalty Income
Sale of Stock
Sale of stock = Capital Gains
GAIN = AMOUNT REALIZED – ADJUSTED BASIS
In Layman’s Terms…
GAIN = MONEY YOU GET – MONEY YOU PAID
BASIS: original cost of the asset.
ADJUSTED BASIS: original cost of the shares of stock
increased or decreased to account for commissions,
fees, depreciation, etc.
Holding Period
• Period starts the day after the property is
acquired and continues through the day it is
sold
Short-term: held for one year or less
Long-term: held for more than one year
Inherited property is ALWAYS long-term
Reporting Income from Sale of Stock
Line 13 (if short-term)
Sch D Pg 1
Sch D Pg 1
8e, 9e or 10e
1e, 2e or 3e
8949 Pg 1
8949 Pg 1
3a
1a
Cap Gn Wkt
Cap Gn Wkt
Line 13 (if long-term)
Carryover Losses
• Loss that can be claimed in one year is the lesser
of:
– The total loss OR
– $3,000 ($1,500 if MFS)
• Unused portion of loss can be carried over from
year to year until total loss is claimed
– Remains long-term or short-term.
– If not claimed in some year, unused loss is decreased
by the amount that should have been claimed.
• Report carryover losses on Sch D Pg 1.
– Line 6 (short-term) or line 14 (long-term).
Reporting Carryover Losses: Schedule D
Retirement Income:
Taxable Amount Not Determined
• Simplified Method
– Calculates tax-free portion of each pension or annuity
payment
– Calculates taxpayer’s cost basis for each monthly payment
– Basis – amount the taxpayer paid in to the plan that is
being distributed in each monthly payment
Taxpayer’s cost basis = Monthly Tax-Free
# of monthly payments
Portion
Simplified Method
• Enter in the amounts
for:
– Cost in plan at start date
from 9b of 1099-R (line
1)
– Age at start date (line 2)
– Number of months
payments were received
in 2013 (line 4)
– Amount recovered tax
free in prior years (line
5)
Simplified Method
• TaxWise Calculates:
– Line 3 Exclusion per
month
– Line 6 Exclusion
• Automatically pulls
through to Line 16b
on 1040.
• Do NOT fill in box 2b
on
• 1099-R – it should
remain blank.
Schedule K-1: Interest & Royalty Income
• Reports the taxpayer’s share of income or
distributions from partnerships, S Corporations,
and some estates & trusts
• Some interest income and royalty income is
reported on a Schedule K-1
Reporting Income from Schedule K-1
Type of Income
Where to Report
Taxable Interest Income
1040 Line 8a  Sch B  Line
1b  Interest Stmt
(same as interest income from
1099-INT)
Royalties
1040 Line 17  Sch E Pg 1 
1*C  K1 P/S Pg 1  Line
7/6 (use code 6 in Part 1)
Practice
• Let’s complete practice scenarios 1 and 2 in
your “Helpful Tips” packet together
• You should use this packet and these exercises
as a guide for the advanced topics when
completing the certification exam
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Additional Duties
•
•
•
•
•
Quality Review
Volunteer organization
Crowd control
Appointment confirmation
Paperwork
Quality Review
• We must thoroughly quality review EVERY
RETURN (E-file and Paper)
• Campus Fellows may assist Site Coordinators to
conduct Quality Reviews
• USE TAB 4 IN YOUR CAMPUS FELLOW
MANUAL FOR ALL QUALITY REVIEWS!
Volunteer Organization
• Make sure that everyone signs in (Campus
Fellows: set a good example!)
• Place volunteers in stations
• Partner volunteers in such a way that they are
both comfortable and competent
• Keep students busy!
• Enforce “Volunteer Dos and Don'ts”
Crowd Control
• Make sure each taxpayer signs in at the door
• Direct taxpayers to the Intake and Interview
Forms
• Place taxpayers with available volunteers
Appointment Confirmation
• Talk to the Site Coordinator about assisting with day-before
appointment reminder calls
• Call all appointments 24 hours before
– Identify Self and Organization (you may need to say “the tax people”)
– Confirm appointment time (make a note if the taxpayer mentions he/she
might be late)
– Remind the taxpayer to bring Social Security Cards, W2s, and other tax
forms; if filing jointly, spouses both need to come in
• Call taxpayers who do not show up for appointments to
reschedule
• See script on Pg. 6 in your Campus Fellow Manual
Paperwork Requirements
• Items for TAXPAYER (AND SPOUSE) to complete
DURING the return:
–
–
–
–
–
INPUT pin # for Main Information Page in TaxWise
Confirm “I authorize” selection on Federal Form 8879
Confirm “I authorize” selection on Alabama Form 8453
INPUT pin # on consent to use form (“Gen Use” in TaxWise)
INPUT pin # on consent to disclose form (“Gen Disclose” in
TaxWise)
Paperwork Requirements
• Forms to print for an E-file return:
– 1 copy of the entire return for the taxpayer’s records (including copy of
8879 and 8453)
– Extra Form 8888, if applicable
• Forms for taxpayer to complete/sign:
– Federal form 8879*
– Alabama form 8453*
– Consent to use/disclose forms ONLY IF volunteer enters pin # on consent
to use in Taxwise for taxpayer
– SNWL paperwork, if applicable
Note: These signed forms are then given back to the taxpayer for their records.
We keep electronic copies only.
Paperwork Requirements
• Forms to retain for our records:
– Completed Intake/Interview & Quality Review
Sheet
– Signed copies of consent to use form and consent
to disclose form ONLY IF volunteer enters pin # on
consent to use/disclose forms for taxpayer
– Completed SNWL paperwork and Form 8888, if
applicable
Assisting the Site Coordinator
• Always ask the Site Coordinator if there is
anything you can do to help her/him!
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Understanding the Intake/Interview
Form and
Conducting a Thorough Quality
Review for Every Taxpayer
Required for Use by IRS VITA Sites
• An important tool for accuracy and due
diligence!
• Must be completed by (or with) the taxpayer.
• Must be used to conduct the Quality Review
process.
• Must be used when e-filing tax returns.
• Must be kept on file in our site records.
The Intake Process: Completing Form
13614-C
• In most cases, the taxpayer completes pages 1
and 2 of the Intake Interview Form (Form
13614-C) in the waiting room before meeting
with a tax preparer.
• Provide assistance as needed
Complete an Intake/Interview Form for
Every Return
• We MUST have an intake/interview form on
file for EVERY return filed at our tax sites.
• If multiple/prior year returns:
– Go to IRS.gov and print out the Intake/Interview
form from that tax year
– Complete an intake/interview form for EVERY year
for which the taxpayer is filing
The Intake Process: Return and
Volunteer Certification Levels
 It is a violation of our VITA Grant and IRS Compliance and your
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement to file a tax return
that is out of scope of the VITA tax site.
• At SaveFirst sites, to ensure all returns are in-scope for
VITA:
– Consult the Scope of Service Chart – at every tax station, in
the Pub 4012 Volunteer Resource Guide, and in your
Campus Fellow Manual
– If a topic seems complicated or unfamiliar to you, doublecheck the Scope of Service Chart to be sure it is listed in
scope.
– Sometimes this determination may be unclear. If you are
unsure, ask your supervisor.
The Intake Process: Return and
Volunteer Certification Levels
• Remember, SaveFirst volunteers are following
slightly different scopes than the IRS’s levels of
certification.
• Reference your SaveFirst Scope of Service
chart in your Campus Fellow Manual, pgs 1619 if you have questions
• Remember: Campus Fellows are Intermediate
Level Volunteers
If part of a taxpayer’s return will be out of scope for the volunteer
preparer, but will be in scope for you, the site coordinator, or your
Campus Fellows, then if you are busy you may have the volunteer
begin the return and stop when they have completed all of the topics
within their scope.
Turn to Tab 4, pages 22-26 in your Campus Fellow
Manual for the “Process for Conducting a
Thorough Quality Review”
Let’s Conduct a Quality Review!
• With a partner,
complete a thorough
Quality Review of each
other’s Fleming tax
returns.
• Discuss any issues you
come across with your
“taxpayer” (partner)
and ask any relevant
questions.
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Campus Fellow Manual
• USE THIS AT THE TAX SITE!!
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 1: Site Information
– Remember: Each tax site has a unique Client ID!
Make sure you use the correct Client ID!
– Important phone numbers, Local IRS and SSA
Offices
Always talk to your Site Coordinator if you have questions BEFORE
calling one of these numbers with a question or referring your
taxpayer to any of these numbers.
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 2: Site Organization and Set-Up
– Site Coordinator’s Daily Checklist: Ask your site
coordinator how you can assist them!
– Day-Before Call Script, pg. 6
– Documents/Forms to be kept on site (just for
reference)
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 3: Volunteer Information
– Volunteer FAQ
– Volunteer Etiquette Guide
– What Issues Can I Handle? (Campus Fellows are
Intermediate)
– Scope of Service Chart
– Form 13614-C Intake/Interview Job Aid for
Volunteers
Read through this before coming to the tax site!
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 4: Finishing a Return
– Pgs. 22-26: Process for Conducting a Thorough
Quality Review
• USE THIS EVERY TIME you do a Quality Review!!
– Consent to Use and Disclose Forms (Read through
this before you come to the tax site)
– Paper Returns
– Amended Returns
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 5: 1040 and Forms
– Form 1040
– Form AL-40
• Alabama Tax Laws
– Various Income Forms
• Important information re: codes on 1099-Rs, W-2s
– Itemized Deductions
– 1098-T Tuition Statement Information
– Additional forms you may see
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 6: Save Your Refund
– Completing Form 8888
– Entering taxpayers into the prize drawing
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 7: Alabama Exempt Defined Benefits Plans
– Lists defined benefits plans exempt from AL taxes
– Check this list first when trying to determine if a
plan is defined benefits
Campus Fellow Manual
• Tab 8: Campus Fellow Summary Chart
– Line by line instructions for entering taxpayer
information into TaxWise
Training Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Basic Level Updates
Social Security and Lump Sum Election Method
State Tax Refund
Business Income
Retirement Income
Adjustments to Income
Itemized Deductions
Intermediate Credits
Paper & Amended Returns
Additional Topics on 2013 Advanced Test
Additional Duties
Quality Reviews
Campus Fellow Manual
Volunteer Paperwork
Volunteer Etiquette
•
•
•
•
•
Follow the Quality Site Requirements.
Conduct a thorough interview.
Be sensitive to the taxpayer.
Keep personal information confidential.
Do only what you are trained and certified to
do.
Ethical Violations



An ethical violation is a knowing breach of any
of the volunteer standards of conduct
All VITA volunteers must undergo training on
volunteer standards of conduct to avoid ethical
violations
The IRS uses reviews called SPEC QSS to
determine the accuracy rate and possible
violations at tax sites.
Ethical Violations

Consequences of intentional violations impact both
the volunteer and the organization


The volunteer may be removed from VITA and face
criminal investigation
SaveFirst might lose its IRS grants and the EFIN number
that allows it to operate tax sites
• NOTE: If you make an accidental mistake, you are
protected as a volunteer by the VITA program.
And ultimately, taxpayers are responsible for the
information that is entered on their return.
Quality Site Requirements


Every return must be prepared by a volunteer
with the proper level of certification needed
for that return. Returns should be assigned
after the level of certification needed and the
certification level of the preparer have been
determined and match up.
Every volunteer has to use the Intake/Interview
sheet in preparing a return.
Quality Site Requirements


The volunteer must verify the taxpayer has
photo ID, social security cards for themselves
and any dependents they are claiming, and all
income documents as soon as possible.
Taxpayers should be informed that they are
ultimately responsible for any information they
gave us.
Other Violations


VITA is a volunteer service. We can not accept
cash, solicit donations, or have a donation/tip jar
in the entry, waiting, tax preparation, or quality
review areas of the tax site.
Never use or keep a taxpayer's confidential
information for personal gain. This includes
soliciting a personal business, offering to receive
and turn over a refund for a taxpayer without a
bank account, or even asking a taxpayer on a
date if you notice they are filing single.
Other Violations
• If you feel a taxpayer is providing fraudulent
information, you are not required to complete
their return.
• Never knowingly prepare a fraudulent return.
• Talk to your supervisor (discretely) if you are
concerned about a taxpayer’s return or about
information they are providing.
Standards of Conduct Test
• All volunteers must complete and pass the
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Test before
volunteering at the tax site
• Take the test (in your training materials), and
we’ll grade it now!
– PUT YOUR NAME ON THE TEST!
– Open-book, open-note; refer to the training
materials as you complete the exam
– Turn in to your trainer when you finish
Schedule and Online Availability Forms
• You will be scheduled for regular weekly shifts
between January 20 – March 8 based on your
Campus Fellow Agreement
– On Saturdays, you should be prepared to travel (e.g.,
Decatur, Montgomery, Gadsden, etc.)
– You will be reimbursed for mileage and meals.
• Please complete the appropriate Campus Fellow
availability form online
(www.impactalabama.org/taxprep). You must
complete this form NOW.
Volunteer Paperwork
• If you did not attend the fall training in person,
please fill out the following forms and return
them to your trainer:
– Volunteer Agreement
– Confidentiality and Liability Form
– Media Release
– W-9
If we do not have this paperwork, you cannot receive
your stipend or reimbursement!
Certification
• Remember to take the IRS Advanced
Certification by JANUARY 17.
• Use Classmarker to submit your answers.
• The link to Classmarker is at
www.impactalabama.org/taxprep