Tax Season Resources - Volunteer Resources

VIRTUAL VITA 2020

+ VIRTUAL Volunteer Alerts
+ Zendesk Login | Slack Login
+ Recorded Zendesk volunteer training
+ Recorded Economic Impact Payment training | PPT | FAQ
+ Zendesk training for Preparers
+ Zendesk training for Quality Reviewers
+ Virtual Volunteers FAQ
+ Zendesk Notes Guide
+ How to Prepare a Simple Return [new!]

VOLUNTEER TAX ALERTS

Always review this section before starting your shift!
+ Volunteer Alerts
+ TaxSlayer Pro Blog [check here when having software issues]
+ Welcome to the Community Tax Centers! (VIDEO) (EN ESPAÑOL)
+ What's New for TY19
+ 4491X
+ Meet Your Trainers!
+ Tax Staff 2020 Org Chart | Head shots here!
+ Form 1040 and Schedules 1-3 for TY19
IRS Alerts:
+ VITA Alert: Medicaid Waiver Payments (March 2020)
+ VITA Alert: 4491X Errors (Jan 2020)
+ VITA Alert: Legislative Tax Extenders (Jan 2020)
+ QSR Alert (Jan 2020)

TAXSLAYER RESOURCES

+ How to write a TaxSlayer Note
+ Selecting the correct return status
+ TaxSlayer Pro Login
+ Login Tips here!
+ TaxSlayer Pro Practice Lab Login
+ Pro Online User Guide
+ Pro Desktop User Guide

INTAKE RESOURCES

Can we prepare it?
+ Important Dates: What We'll Prepare When
+ Confirming Identity and SSN or ITIN
+ Income Eligibility & Exceptions
+ Residency and ID Requirements (VIDEO)
+ Income Eligibility (VIDEO)
Out of Scope
+ Your return is Out of Scope [English] [Spanish]
+ What is Within the Scope of Our Service? [in color version]
+ Scope of Service Chart from Pub 4012
+ Taxpayers with Business Returns [new screening tool!]
+ Mortgage Credit Certificate is out of scope for VITA! [screening tool]
+ Casualty Loss Screening Tool
+ Casualty Losses and Hurricane Harvey - [specific info here]
Drop Off
+ The Drop Off Program (VIDEO)
+ Military and Rental Worksheet
+ Consent forms: NO | SO | LW | SE | AA | SE | MOBILE
+ Drop Off Supplemental Questions
+ How to do Drop Off Intake and Pick-up: Steps for Staff and Volunteers
+ Log of Drop Off paper returns picked up (for filing cabinet)
+ State Income Tax Guide
Special Situations
+ Special Situations: Policies and Instructions
+ Spouse Not Present or Deceased Taxpayer Tools [in color version]
+ Spousal consent to prepare taxes [spouse physically unable to come in]
+ 1040 vs 1040NR Screening Tool (and tips for international income)
+ Identity theft
+ Lost or missing IP PIN
+ Prior Year Return Topics [new]
Transcripts
+ Mail transcript in with paper return - one method is to fold
transcript in thirds and staple it horizontally to the 1040
+ Redacted Transcripts: What are our options? [check this out]
+ How to request a transcript: (English) (Spanish)
+ Screenshot instructions to request transcript by mail in Spanish
Appointments
+ Appointment scheduling website
+ Video for Deaf/Hard of Hearing clients about ASL appointments [wow!]
+ Appointments Flyer for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Clients
+ Tips for working with Deaf clients and ASL interpreters
+ Travis County Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (flyer)
Flyers & Referrals
+ AARP flyer - and AARP scope for TY19
+ Outside Referrals for Tax Issues
+ Low Income Taxpayer Clinics 2019 List
+ Tax Season Flyer
+ Foreign Student and Scholars Program Flyer
+ Public website: ProsperCenters.org
+ Health Coverage flyer
+ College Hub flyer
+ ESL Flyers: Eng | Spn | Arabic: Lakeline, Sierra Vista, Vintage Creek
+ FC Single residency housing: tips for getting on the waitlist
For the intake desk
+ Census materials: Census 101: What you need to know | FAQs
+ Prosper Centers Greeter FAQ
+ Sign-in Sheets: LW/SE/North | South | RRPL/AARC [manager list]
+ Clipboard cover sheet & documents checklist: English | Spanish
+ Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet [Eng] [Spn]
+ Return Visit Slip | Tip Sheet
+ Quick calculation tool to identify self-employment miles over 25k
+ The Intake Interview (VIDEO)
+ Tax Help Welcome Sign (Eng and Spn)

FILING STATUS & DEPENDENTS

+ Preparing Joint Returns for Married Couples (VIDEO)
+ Filing Status Decision Tree
+ Filing Status Options for Married Taxpayers [Spanish version]
+ MFS Laminated Tool (for intake and preparers)
+ Married Filing Separately Policy & Process
+ Married Filing Separately [bilingual client handout]
+ Residency question on Dependent / Qualifying Child screen
+ Divorced and Separated Parents - when exemption released to NCP
+ Declaration of Residency - to treat nonresident spouse as resident
+ Injured spouse
+ Form 8958 Exceptions to Community Property Allocation
ITIN
+ Tax Law Change & ITINs [important!]
+ Frequently Asked Questions re: ITINs [new information added]
+ You must have a TIN by the due date of the return (CTC/ODC)
+ Working with Undocumented Clients (VIDEO)
+ Clients with ITINs (VIDEO)
+ What to do when an ITIN holder gets a SSN
+ Do you need to renew your ITIN? [English] [Spanish]
+ How to Get or Renew an ITIN
+ ITIN Document Requirements: English | Spanish
+ Required docs for dependents: under age 6 | age 6 to 17 yrs
+ ITIN brochure [Eng] [Spn]
+ ITIN Training PPT

MORE VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

+ Volunteer "It's My First Day!" Checklist
+ New Volunteer Reference (yellow packet from Basic tax prep training)
+ What to do if you have down time
+ Guidelines for Volunteers Preparing their Returns On-Site
+ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Guide
+ CTC Resources Scavenger Hunt 2020

Volunteer Position Descriptions
+ Tax Preparer + Client Liaison + Translator + Training Rover
+ Out-of-Scope Tax Preparer + Out-of-Scope Scheduler

INCOME

W-2s:
+ W2 codes
+ Guide to Form W-2 for Intake and Preparers [new]
+ Haven't received W2 or 1099? [bilingual client handout]
+ Guidance on Form 4852 when missing W-2 or 1099-R
+ Entering unreported tips in TaxSlayer [helpful!]
+ Misclassified Employee Bilingual Screening Tool [updated!]
1099-Rs:
+ 1099-R: Basic or Advanced? And Figuring the Simplified Method
+ 1099-R Codes & Distribution Exceptions
+ Updated 1099-R Box 7 Distribution Codes [2/5/20]
+ Annuity/Pension Exclusion Calculator
Social Security:
+ Social Security FAQs (and tool to calculate taxable portion)
Additional Resources:
+ Cancellation of debt screening tool [use for all 1099-Cs]
+ Household employees
+ Health Savings Account (HSA)
+ Changes in Alimony
Self-Employment:
+ Self-Employed Income Expense Sheet
+ Standard Mileage Rates by year
+ Deductible Transportation Expenses
+ Common Schedule C business codes [or view complete list here]
+ FAQ for Sharing Economy (Uber, Lyft, Favor, etc.) [new!]
+ Clients with Self Employment (VIDEO)
Self-Employment Resources:
+ RideShare Handout | Also check out http://www.ridesharetaxhelp.com/
+ Estimated payments calculator
+ Mileage log
+ List of resources for education, support, coaching, loans, etc.
+ Electronic business resources
+ Getting ready for tax time [Eng] [Spn]
+ Rules of good recordkeeping [Eng] [Spn]

TAX & CREDITS

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Premium Tax Credits:
+ Avoid unnecessary APTC repayment
+ PTC Repayment Threshold Caps
+ Get 1095-A: Logging into the account | Calling the MP [ENG] [SPN]
+ Understanding Premium Tax Credit Reconciliation
+ Exceptions for Married Filing Separate filers receiving PTC
For tax years 2014 - 2018
+ Exemption Code G: 138% FPL chart and hardship exemptions
+ List of exemptions chart
+ How to enter ACA exemptions (instructions)
+ Navigating the affordability exemption (instructions)
+ What types of insurance are and are not considered MEC?
+ Marketplace affordability tool: [www.healthcare.gov/tax-tool]
+ Does Code A apply for affordability? Try this tool!
+ Definitions of income

REFUND / TAX OWED

+ Bank routing numbers
+ Frequently Asked Questions re: Refunds and Tax Due [new]
+ Make a payment: English | Spanish Pay cash: English | Spanish
+ How to verify refund status [Spanish guide with screenshots]
Tax Time Savings Promotion
+ Savings promotion and HEB gift cards for 2020
+ Consider a savings bond!
+ Save Your Refund nationwide drawing and prizes
+ Videos: Introduce Savings | Give Savings Advice | Splitting the Refund
Help with Consents and Return Questions
+ Consents to Use and Disclose (VIDEO)
+ 2019 Summary Statistics - for use in explaining consents to clients
+ Talking points to explain consents (including in Spanish)
+ Laminated consents and return questions tool [Spanish version here]

QUALITY REVIEW

+ The QR certification quizzes are live on the Training page!
+ Four QR Classics & How to Avoid Them
+ QR One Pager
+ How to Conduct a Quality Review (VIDEO)
+ QR Volunteer Feedback Form
Closing the return
+ How to Close a Return for Tax Preparers (VIDEO)
+ How to Close a Return for Quality Reviewers (VIDEO)
+ How to Close an In-Progress Return (VIDEO)
+ Closing a Return

EXTENSION / AMENDMENT / PAPER

+ When is it a paper return?
+ Where to mail the return
+ E-file Versus Paper (VIDEO)
Extensions:
+ How to file an extension: FC policy & instructions
+ Form 4868 to apply for an extension (with mailing address)
+ Mailing options on April 15
Amendments:
+ How to do amendments in TaxSlayer [updated for 2020]
+ Amended returns - Form 1040X (FC policy)
+ TaxSlayer Guide: Working with Amended Returns
+ Combat Injured Veteran Refund Instructions
+ Modified 1040x to claim standard refund for veteran severance
+ Go to www.irs.gov/wmar for amended return status

IRS RESOURCES

+ IRS Pub 17
+ IRS Pub 4012
+ VITA Hotline for TY 2018 (volunteer tax law questions)
+ English-Spanish Glossary of Tax Terms
+ Language Identification Flashcard
+ Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
+ Understanding your IRS Notice or Letter
+ Guide for clients to translate the IRS website to Spanish
+ Taxpayer Roadmap: an illustration of the US tax system [interesting!]
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