Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance
Volunteer Orientation
Welcome and Introductions
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Welcome and many thanks
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Introductions
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VITA site staff
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Volunteers
Let’s 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
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Last year, the coalition prepared over 74,000 taxes for lowincome taxpayers
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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
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You will have a direct impact in the community you are volunteering in
and with each household you help
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You are one of thousands of volunteers across the country doing this
work
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You are helping bring back thousands of dollars into our local economy!
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Here at VITA SITE NAME HERE we hope to prepare XXX returns in 2016
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?
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What if I can’t make my shift?
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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:
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o
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
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 every week!!
o Pub. 17 – Reference Material
o Form 13614-C – Intake/Interview Sheet
o 1040 Instructions
o California Volunteer Manual
Other resources:
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For VITA Volunteers:
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VITA Hotline – (800) 829-8482
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TaxWise Hotline – (800) 411-6391
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Can find them on the back of 4012
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Do not give these numbers to taxpayers!
For taxpayers’ use:
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General IRS Tax Information – (800) 829-1040
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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
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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?