Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2
Volunteering at a VITA Site ........................................................................................... 4
Volunteer Training and Certification .............................................................................. 5
Tax Preparer Training Guide......................................................................................... 6
Financial Coach Training Guide .................................................................................. 10
Training Materials Publication List............................................................................... 12
Useful Websites .......................................................................................................... 12
For more information or to become a volunteer,
visit www.taxtimecentralohio.org
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Introduction
Thank you so much for donating your time and talent to help provide free, high quality tax preparation services
and financial guidance to central Ohio households in need! My job is to ensure that your training goes as
smoothly as possible and volunteer experience is positive. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me. My goal is to see that you are fully prepared to provide this valuable service to hardworking
families here in central Ohio. Thanks again, and I look forward to working with you!
Carrie Almasi
Tax Time Assistant Coordinator
(614) 227-2799
Carrie.Almasi@uwcentralohio.org
What is the Tax Time Coalition of Central Ohio?
Tax Time is a network of nonprofit, business, and government organizations that work to provide free tax
assistance services and to connect people to financial education and savings opportunities. Tax Time’s
mission is to provide the central Ohio community with information about, and access to, free, high-quality tax
assistance services and financial resources that enable low and moderate-income households achieve
financial stability. Tax Time lead partners include:
AARP
•AARP manages 17 Tax
Counseling for the Elderly
Sites (TCE) in partnership
with the IRS in Franklin
County. Sites are primarily
open during the weekday and
staffed by retired volunteers
who are certified at the IRS
advanced level.
The Ohio Benefit
Bank (OBB)
•The OBB is an Internetbased tool that helps
individuals that make under
$65,000 and married couples
that make less than $95,000
file their federal and state
taxes for free. Users can sit
down with a trained OBB
counselor at one of 11 sites
in Franklin County to work
through their return or can file
on their own at
ohiobenefits.org. The OBB
can also check eligibility and
apply for other assistance
programs.
United Way of
Central Ohio
(UWCO)
•UWCO manages 18
Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) in
partnership with the IRS sites
in Franklin County. Sites are
primarily open in the
evenings and on weekends
to serve low and moderate
income working families.
VITA sites are staffed by
volunteers who are certified
at the IRS intermediate or
advanced level.
Why is it Important?
For many in our community surviving on low and moderate incomes, tax time is a critically important financial
moment. A number of refundable tax credits benefit low income individuals, particularly those who are parents
or are pursuing a higher education degree. These credits combine to form a refund that can account for up to
40% of a family’s annual income.
The majority of low to moderate income taxpayers in central Ohio currently use a paid tax preparer to file their
tax returns. Paid preparers in this region charge an average of $250 for tax preparation services and high-cost
refund anticipation loans or checks. Many of these services increase their costs with each credit for which the
taxpayer is eligible.
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Tax Time Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site Overview
What are the Volunteer Positions?
There are several opportunities for volunteers at VITA tax sites:
Tax Preparer
Financial Coach
Site Coordinator
Intake Specialist
•Provides free tax
return preparation
assistance.
•Creates a link
between clients and
community resources.
•Supervises the
operations at VITA
sites.
•Greets clients and
checks for necessary
paperwork.
What happens when a client arrives?
Each volunteer position has a specific role to play at VITA sites:
•Greets client
and checks
documentation
Intake
Specialist
Finanicial
Coach
•Introduces
client to
financial
resources
•Prepares
client's tax
return
Site
Coordinator
•Reviews
return for
accuracy*
Tax
Preparer
•Prints and has
client sign
return
Site
Coordinator
•Electronically
files client's
tax return
Tax
Preparer
*Tax Preparers may assist in the quality review process depending on site capacity.
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Volunteering at a VITA Site
Why Should I Volunteer?
As a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteer, you will help people take a first step toward financial
stability while enhancing your résumé with valuable experience. You will also be able to apply tax, accounting,
or other classroom learning to real-world situations and utilize abilities like second language skills. You will
strengthen neighborhoods and businesses by bringing money back to the local economy. You can also build
rapport among your organization’s team members by volunteering together.
In 2013, 588 hardworking volunteers like you helped 14,530 hardworking low- and middle-income households!
These households claimed more than $14.8 million in tax refunds and saved approximately $3.6 million in
tax preparation fees and loans.
When will I Volunteer?
During tax season (January 31 through April 15), you can volunteer at times that fit your needs. We ask that
you commit to a minimum of 5 volunteer sessions throughout the year. Most sessions are on evenings and
weekends.
Where Will I Volunteer?
Although Tax Time operates 18 VITA sites, many already have enough volunteers for the upcoming tax
season. These sites still need your help:
Southwest Columbus
(Grove City)
West Side
• Vaughn Hairston Southwest YMCA Community Center: 4500 East
First Ave, Urbancrest, 43123
• West High School: 179 South Powell Ave, Columbus, 43204
Near East Side
• Central Community House: 1150 East Main St, Columbus, 43205
East Side
• American Legion: 3227 East Livingston Ave, Columbus, 43227
• The Neighborhood House: 1000 Atcheson St. Columbus, 43203
South Side
• South Side Learning and Development Center: 255 Reeb Ave,
Columbus, 43207
Central
• IMPACT Community Action: 700 Bryden Rd, Columbus, 43215
Linden
• St. Stephen's Community House: 1500 E 17th Ave, Columbus, 43219
North Side
• Northland High School: 1919 Northcliff Dr, Columbus, 43229
*NOTE: Financial Coaches may be needed at additional sites.
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Volunteer Training and Certification
What kind of training do you offer?
Don't worry if you're not an expert – training sessions will be provided for all volunteers in January, 2014.
 Volunteer Tax Preparers: visit the Tax Preparer Training section on page 6 of this guide.
 Financial Coach Volunteers: visit the Financial Coach Training section on page 10 of this guide.
To register for a training session, visit: http://bit.ly/TaxTimeTraining.
What certification do I need?
All volunteers, regardless of their backgrounds, must be certified by the IRS before they can volunteer at a
VITA site.
 Volunteer Tax Preparers: visit the Tax Preparer Certification section on page 9 of this guide.
 Financial Coach Volunteers: visit the Financial Coach Certification section on page 11 of this guide.
Once I’m certified, how do I sign up to volunteer?
Volunteer shifts should be available for sign-up starting in mid-December. To sign up for a volunteer shift, visit
the Tax Time website at http://www.taxtimecentralohio.org/make-an-impact-volunteer and follow these steps:
 Under the volunteer tab, click on the date(s) that you’re available to volunteer.
 This will bring you to a list of available volunteer shifts on that day. Click on a shift to take you to the
volunteer registration portal.
 To register for a timeslot, just tell us how many people you’d like to sign up for this shift and provide
your name, phone, and email*.
*When registering for a volunteer shift or training session, please use your work email. This allows us to
recognize your organization’s important contribution!
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Tax Preparer Training Guide
Checklist
Register for a tax law training session at http://bit.ly/TaxPreparerTrainings.
Register for a TaxWise Practice Lab at http://bit.ly/PracticeLab.
Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct exam at https://www.linklearncertification.com.
Attend training session(s).
Certify to prepare returns at the Basic level or higher at https://www.linklearncertification.com.
Sign up for volunteer shifts at http://www.taxtimecentralohio.org/make-an-impact-volunteer.
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Tax Preparer Volunteer Position
Volunteer tax preparer position description:




Review and complete the IRS intake form with clients.
Prepare tax returns at a VITA site of your choice.
Counsel clients about tax issues such as filing status and eligibility for credits.
Depending on training and experience, prepare special returns such as back-year, schedule C, or
amended returns.
 Work with a Site Coordinator to address any issues or questions.
Qualified volunteers have:
 The ability to listen, ask informed questions, and help clients accurately prepare their returns. Training
is provided for all volunteers so previous experience with tax preparation is not necessary.
 The ability to demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, flexibility, and empathy.
 The ability to work with diverse groups of individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds.
Tax Law Training Options
Before you volunteer, you’ll need to have a grasp of basic tax law. If you’re new to tax preparation, don’t
panic…Tax Time and the IRS offer three different learning opportunities. Pick the option that will work best to
bring you up to speed:
Option #1: Tax Time VITA Classroom Trainings
This option is recommended for new volunteers. Tax Time provides free tax law training sessions, led by
experienced instructors, which last about 6 hours. We ask that you begin the certification process prior to
attending classroom training so that the time spent in the classroom can be as effective as possible. To attend
classroom training:




Step 1: Register at for a training session at http://bit.ly/TaxPreparerTrainings.
Step 2: Create an account at the Link & Learn Certification site at
https://www.linklearncertification.com.
In the “Group” dropdown box, select “1-VITA Volunteer”
In the “Training Source” dropdown box, select “Link and Learn Taxes (e-learning)”
Create a unique username and password
Leave the “SEID” and “PTIN” fields blank
Fill in the other fields and click on “Register.”
Step 3: Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSOC) course and exam before coming to
tax training. This should take about 30 minutes to complete.
Step 4: Complete the Intake/Interview & Quality Review PowerPoint before coming to tax training.
This should take about 20 minutes to complete.
*Note that the Link & Learn Certification site will not be updated for the 2014 tax season until November 15,
2013.
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Option #2: Tax Time VITA Trainings Online
Tax Time has several online training videos available for volunteers who can’t go to the live sessions or who
want to review tax law topics. All of the material from the classroom training is available in short modules so
you can pick and choose the subjects that you want to study. Training videos for the 2014 tax season will be
available by mid-December, 2013. To access these videos, visit http://vimeo.com/channels/456297.
Option #3: IRS Link and Learn
For volunteers that cannot attend classroom training or want to review tax law, the IRS has put together an
online training program called Link & Learn. The program is split into 4 modules: Basic, Advanced, Military, and
International. VITA volunteers only need to know the Basic Level material, but more experienced tax preparers
are welcome to review the material at the Advanced Level. To log onto Link & Learn:


Visit http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/.
To begin a module, click “Certification Paths.”
 Each module contains a menu of related tax topics, and can be reviewed in any order at your
leisure.
*Note that Link & Learn will not be updated for the 2014 tax season until mid-to-late November, 2013.
However, the updated material is available in IRS Publication 4491 at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4491.pdf
Tax Software Training Options
In addition to understanding tax law, volunteers need to be familiar with the IRS TaxWise computer program
that VITA sites use to prepare returns. Training on the TaxWise software is incorporated into Tax Time’s
classroom trainings and online training. You can also attend a Practice Lab training session where you’ll have
the ability to practice different tax scenarios with an IRS-certified trainer. To register, visit:
http://bit.ly/PracticeLab.
Returning volunteers and volunteers that cannot attend Practice Lab sessions can explore the TaxWise
Practice Lab on their own and prepare virtual returns—just like the real thing! To log onto the Practice Lab:





Step 1: Create an account at http://www.voltaxprep.com/.
 Enter the password “learntwo.”
Step 2: Click “Create New User.”
Step 3: Enter your Zip Code and Email address, and click “Create User ID.”
 You’ll get a 6 digit number that will be your User ID. This number will also be sent to the email
provided during sign in.
Step 4: Login to access the home page and click on “New Return” to get started.
Step 5: Practice preparing return scenarios provided in Publication 4491-W
(http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4491w.pdf).
NOTE: Do not forget your User ID!
 In addition to giving access to the Practice Lab, your User ID also serves as a finisher for any Social
Security numbers in practice scenarios. Ex. Scenario shows Mr. Howard’s “Social Security Number” as
031-1XX-XXXX; to complete his “SSN”, you must enter, 0-3-1-1, plus your 6 digit User ID.
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VITA Tax Preparer Certification
Once you’ve learned tax law and gotten familiar with preparing returns, it’s time to take the VITA certification
tests. All VITA volunteers must certify with the IRS every year, regardless of other professional training or
experience. For 2014, each volunteer tax preparer must complete the following certifications:
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Exam
A brief training followed by 10 questions on tax preparation
ethics
Estimated Completion Time: 1 hour
Intake/Interview & Quality Review PowerPoint
A brief overview of Intake and Quality Review processes
Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes
Tax Law Exam
Choose either the Basic or the Advanced Exam:
Basic Exam
Advanced Exam
30 questions about 9 different tax scenarios
Topics: filing status, deductions, exemptions,
dependency, and tax credits such as the EITC,
Education, and Child Tax Credits.
Estimated Completion Time: 4 hours
40 questions about 9 different tax scenarios
Topics: Basic tax law topics in addition to capital
gains and losses, self-employment income,
pensions, and royalties.
Estimated Completion Time: 4 hours
Tax Time VITA volunteers must be certified at least at the Basic Level to prepare returns. However, more
experienced volunteers are welcome to certify at the Advanced Level. Note that the Advanced Exam is a
stand-alone test and doesn’t require that you have already certified at the Basic level. Both tax law certification
tests require the volunteer to complete tax return scenarios and answer questions based on the results.
Certification tests are not timed and are saved automatically so that you don’t have to complete them in one
sitting. Users must get a minimum score of 80% to certify, but tests can be taken up to two times each. It is
possible to take a practice test as many times as desired before taking the actual test. To certify:





Step 1: Create an account at the Link & Learn Certification site https://www.linklearncertification.com
In the “Group” dropdown box, select “1-VITA Volunteer”
In the “Training Source” dropdown box, select “Link and Learn Taxes (e-learning)”
Create a unique username and password
Leave the “SEID” and “PTIN” fields blank
Step 2: Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct course and exam.
Step 3: Complete the Intake/Interview & Quality Review PowerPoint.
Step 4: Complete either the Basic Exam or the Advanced Exam.
Step 5: Once you’ve passed the certifications, electronically sign the Volunteer Agreement, IRS
Form 13615. You must print this form and bring it with you when volunteering at a VITA site.
*Note that the Link & Learn Certification site won’t be updated for 2013 until November 15.
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Financial Coach Training Guide
Checklist
Visit http://bit.ly/FinancialCoachTraining to sign up for a training session.
Create an account at https://www.linklearncertification.com.
Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct training and certification.
Visit http://www.taxtimecentralohio.org/make-an-impact-volunteer to sign up for volunteer shifts.
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Financial Coach Position
Financial Coach Position Description:





Connect taxpayers to financial opportunities at Tax Time free tax preparation sites
Encourage taxpayers to develop a plan for their refund
Achieve client-defined goals and support specific actions to meet these goals
Address immediate financial issues and improve financial situations
Facilitate decision-making and provide financial tools, resources, and referrals
Qualified volunteers have:
 The ability to listen, ask informed questions, and help clients refine their financial goals. This requires a
basic diagnosis of the client’s current financial situation, review of alternatives, and discussion of
options to help improve their overall financial picture.
 The ability to demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, flexibility, and empathy.
 The ability to work with diverse groups of individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds.
Financial Coach Volunteer Training
Before you volunteer, you’ll need to have a grasp of financial coaching strategies. If you’re new to financial
coaching, don’t panic…Tax Time offers multiple training sessions to prepare you to volunteer at a VITA site.
Financial Coach training sessions are led by experienced instructors and last about 2 hours. Pick the time that
will work best for you and register for a session at http://bit.ly/FinancialCoachTraining.
Financial Coach Volunteer Certification
Once you’ve learned financial coaching strategies, it’s time to take a brief certification test. All VITA volunteers
must certify with the IRS every year, regardless of other professional training or experience. For 2014, each
Financial Coach Volunteer must complete The Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSOC) certification.
The VSOC certification has two parts: a training and an exam. The VSOC test is 10 questions long, is not
timed, and is saved automatically. Users must get a minimum score of 80% to certify, but tests can be taken up
to two times. You should allow about 1 hour to complete the VSOC training and certification:



Step 1: Create an account at the Link & Learn Certification site https://www.linklearncertification.com.
In the “Group” dropdown box, select “1-VITA Volunteer”
In the “Training Source” dropdown box, select “Link and Learn Taxes (e-learning)”
Create a unique username and password
Leave the “SEID” and “PTIN” fields blank
Step 2: Complete the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSOC) course and exam.
Step 3: Once you’ve passed the VSOC exam, electronically sign and complete the Volunteer
Agreement. You must print this form and bring it with you when volunteering at a VITA site.
*Note that the Link & Learn Certification site won’t be updated for 2013 until November 15.
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Training Materials Publication List
Training materials will be available at all training sessions. However, if you would like to begin training on your
own before the training session, you can access PDF versions of the training documents on the IRS website.
These files are quite large—please do not print unless absolutely necessary!
Publication 4491: Student Training Guide


http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4491.pdf
This is the print version of the Link & Learn courses for Basic and Advanced tax law training.
Publication 4491-W: Comprehensive Problems and Exercises Workbook


www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4491w.pdf
Provides tax return scenarios for volunteers to complete using the Practice Lab (for training
purposes only).
Publication 4012: Volunteer Resource Guide


www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4012.pdf
Provides a quick and easy way to find answers to common questions such as:
 “What is the correct filing status?”
 “What is the correct filing status?”
 “Who qualifies as a dependent?”
 “What income is considered taxable?”
Publication 17: Your Federal Income Tax Return: For Individuals


www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf
An extension of Pub. 4012, Pub. 17 provides the most comprehensive information regarding any
tax question.
Useful Websites
Register for Tax Time Training Sessions:
IRS Training - Link & Learn:
IRS Certification Tests:
Like Tax Time’s Facebook page:
Follow us on Twitter:
www.taxtimecentralohio.org
http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/
https://www.linklearncertification.com
https://www.facebook.com/TaxTimeCentralOhio
https://twitter.com/TaxTimeOH
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Thanks to Our Generous Funders!
Sustaining Partners:
Advocates:
Friends:
Huntington
KeyBank
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