VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
Volunteer Orientation
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
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Welcome and many thanks
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Introductions
VITA site staff
 Volunteers
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Lets get to know each other activity!
WHAT IS EARN IT! KEEP IT! SAVE IT!
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EKS is a coalition, led by the United Way of the Bay
Area, comprised of over 200 partners offering free tax
preparation services throughout 7 counties in the Bay
Area
Last year, the coalition prepared over 68,000 taxes for
low-income taxpayers
This colossal collaboration is only successful because
you signed up to volunteer!
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU AND WHY THIS
WORK MATTERS
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You will gain first hand knowledge of our tax code and
learn how to prepare a tax return
You will have a direct impact in the community you are
volunteering in and with each household you help
You are one of thousands of volunteers across the country
doing this work
You are helping bring back thousands of dollars into our
local economy!
Here at VITA SITE NAME HERE we hope to prepare XXX
returns in 2014 with your help! That’s XXX households!
[VITA SITE NAME] - LOGISTICS
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What we do here
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Volunteering at VITA SITE NAME HERE
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How do I sign up for shifts?
What if I can’t make my shift?
Online signup and communication on EKS website
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Facilities
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Restrooms
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Hours of operation
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
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You are an integral part of our VITA site, but you are
never on your own! Here are resources that you can
depend on:
• Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Website:
Manage your volunteer schedule
o Contact your Site Coordinator
o Learn more about taxes and those burning questions you
may have
o Interact with fellow volunteers
o
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Site Coordinator and experienced volunteers
MATERIALS AT THE TAX SITE
Materials that can be found at each volunteer station:
o 4012 – Resource Guide (Spiral Bound) bring with you to the site
o
o
o
o
every week!!
Pub. 17 – Reference Material
Form 13614-C – Intake/Interview Sheet
1040 Instructions
California Volunteer Manual
Other resources:
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For VITA Volunteers:
 VITA Hotline – (800) 829-8482
 TaxWise Hotline – (800) 411-6391
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Can find them on the back of 4012
Do not give these numbers to taxpayers!
For taxpayers’ use:
 General IRS Tax Information – (800) 829-1040
 Where’s My Refund? – (800) 829-1954 or online at
http://www.irs.gov/Refunds
POSITIONS AT OUR SITE:
o Site Coordinator
o Tax Preparer
o Screener
o Greeter
o Quality Reviewer
[VITA SITE NAME] CLIENT FLOW
o Greeting and intake
• Interview video
o Screening for eligibility
o Tax preparation
o Quality review
o Reviewing the return with the client
o Finishing up a return
WHAT RETURNS CAN I PREPARE?
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In-Scope Chart in 4012
You can only prepare returns that are in scope for your
certification level
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To save time, screen all returns before getting to the tax
preparation stage
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Use your Site Coordinator as a resource
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Can refer taxpayers to other sites
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AARP sites are certified at the advanced level
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DO NOT TRY TO PREPARE A RETURN THAT YOU ARE NOT
CERTIFIED TO PREPARE – YOU ARE NOT DOING THE TAXPAYER
ANY FAVORS IF YOU PREPARE A RETURN INCORRECTLY!
SPECIAL POPULATIONS
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ITINS- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
• What is an ITIN?
• What can I expect?
• CAA- referral process
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Taxpayers with disabilities
• Accommodations for taxpayers with disabilities
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vS3pCe0eO4
PROFESSIONALISM AND CONFIDENTIALITY
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Dress code and name badges
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Adherence to Title VI
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Review Standards of Conduct
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Form 13615: Volunteer Agreement
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Certification
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Volunteer Protection Act of 1997
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED AT [VITA
SITE NAME]
Questions?