Pardon Our Dust: A New and Improved Web Page is Under Construction...

VOLUNTEER TAX ALERTS

Always review this section before starting your shift!
  + Volunteer Alerts
  + TaxSlayer Pro Blog [check here when having software issues]
  + Meet Your Trainers!
​  + Changes for 2020 from Publication 4491
​  + Pub 4491X
  + Videos to explain Tax Law Change & TaxSlayer Pro updates
  + American Rescue Plan Act Notes [updated 3/23]
VITA Quality Site Requirement Alerts:
  + Quality Oversight Reviews (Mar-3-2021) 
  + Identity Theft Regarding Unemployment Benefits (Mar-2-2021) 
  + Claiming Recovery Rebate Credits (Feb-24-2021)
  + Validating Prior Year AGI for self-prepared 2020 returns (Feb-23-2021)
  + EIP for Residents of US Territories (Feb-19-2021)
​  + Publication 4012 Update (Feb-16-2021)
  + Product Updates and New Legislation (Feb-2-2021)
  + Certification Testing and Using Practice Lab (Jan-12-2021)
  + Taxpayer and volunteer expired photo identification (Jan-5-2021)

VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

+ Online Feedback Form​ 
+ First Day Checklist for Volunteers
​+ COVID-19 Self-Screening Health Questions for On-site Client Liaisons        & Communication Protocols

​INTAKE RESOURCES
+ INTAKE CHECKLIST for Year-Round 2021

VERIFYING ID & INCOME ELIGIBILITY
  + Confirming Identity and SSN or ITIN
​  + Using Prior Year TaxSlayer Returns to Verify SSNs/ITINs
  + Income Eligibility & Exceptions
  + Preparing Joint Returns for Married Couples 2021
  + Income Eligibility [VIDEO]
  + Residency & ID Requirements [VIDEO]
CONSENT TO PREPARE/E-FILE
  + Policy: Taxpayer Presence During Intake & Preparation
  + When One Spouse is Not Present/Deceased [intake/preparation tool]
  + When a Taxpayer or Dependent is Deceased [intake/preparation tool]
  + Spousal Consent Form to Prepare [spouse unable to be present] 
  + Spouse Serving in a Combat Zone Attestation [EN] [SP]
IN SCOPE / OUT OF SCOPE
 + Overview of Tax Program Options (VITA/STS/Outside)
 + Scope of Service Chart from Pub 4012
 + Is the Business TYPE in Scope for VITA? [screening tool]
 + Is the Business Mileage Expense in Scope for VITA?​ [online calculator]
 + About Virtual (Crypto) Currency and Scope
 + Schedule K-1: In Scope for VITA?
 + Mortgage Credit Certificate [screening tool]
 + Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt [screening tool] for all 1099-Cs
 + Cancellation of Debt for Principal Residence (QPRI) [screening tool]
 + About Casualty Loss and VITA
 + We Cannot Prepare Your Return [client handout] [EN] [SP]
DROP-OFF PROGRAM  +STATE +MIL +INT +RENTAL
  + Which Returns Are Drop-Off Returns?
​  + Military and Rental Worksheet [Fillable version]
  + State Income Tax Guide
​  + Due Diligence Checklist (for 2016 only)
  + Combat Injured Veteran Refund Instructions [2016 and prior]
  + Modified 1040-X to Claim Standard Refund for Veteran Severance
SPECIAL TAX SERVICES (STS) & REFERRAL
 + About STS and STS Referrals
 + STS List of Covered Services
 + STS Online Referral Form Site Managers & Staff Only!
 + You Have Been Referred to STS [client handout]: [EN] [SP] 
FOREIGN STUDENT/SCHOLAR Form 1042-S or F J M Q Visa
 + Form 1040 vs 1040NR Screening Tool (and tips for international income)
 + FSS Online Referral Form Site Managers & Staff Only!
 + Foreign Student and Scholars Program Flyer
SPECIAL SITUATIONS/POLICIES
 + Policy: Confirming Identity for Release of Taxpayer Information
 + Haven't Received W-2 or 1099? [bilingual client handout]​
IDENTITY THEFT & IP PINS
  + About Identity Theft & IP PINs
  + Lost or Missing IP PINs
TRANSCRIPTS
  + About IRS Transcripts
  + Policy & Preparation: Using IRS Transcripts
  + List of Business EINs for Masked Transcripts
​  + Attaching Transcripts to a Paper Return for Mailing
  + How Can I Order a Transcript? [client handout] [ENG] [SP]
  + Guide to Ordering a Transcript By Mail [handout w/screenshots] [SP]
WORKING WITH DEAF & HARD OF HEARING CLIENTS
​  + Year-Round 2021: ASL interpretation request
  + Appointments Plus online scheduling [client link]
  + Tips for Working with Deaf Clients and ASL Interpreters
  + Appointments for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Clients [flyer]
  + Travis County Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing [flyer]
  + FC ASL Tax Services: What to Know & Expect [2019 client video]
​INTAKE DESK FORMS & INFORMATION
  + Summer 2021 Drop Off Consent Form: North | South
  + Prosper Centers Greeter FAQ
  + ScanSnap scanning instructions
  + Sign-in Sheets: North/RRPL | South (with ASL)
  + Clipboard cover sheet & documents checklist: English | Spanish
  + Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet [Eng] [Spn]
​  + Return Visit Slip for 2021
​  + Tax Help Signage for sites with appointments
​  + Quick calculation tool to identify self-employment miles over 35k
  + The Intake Interview (2020 VIDEO)

PREPARATION & QR RESOURCES

FILING STATUS
  + Filing Status Decision Tree - Pub 4012
  + Filing Options for Married Taxpayers [ENG] [SP]
  + About Marriage & Legal Separation for Texas Clients
  + Understanding Qualified Widow/Widower Filing Status
  + Implications of SS/Disability Payments on Filing Status & Dependency
  + Form 8958 Exceptions to Community Property Allocation
MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY (MFS)
  + Policy & Background: Married Filing Separately (MFS)
  + Preparing MFS Returns in TaxSlayer
  + Finalizing MFS Paper Returns for the Client
​  + Amending to Revise Filing Status: MFJ/MFS
  + When Can an MFS Filer Claim a Spouse's Exemption [2017 and prior]
DEPENDENTS & QUALIFYING RELATIVES
  + Tips for Using the Pub 4012 Worksheet to Determine Dependency
  + Policy & Preparation: Deceased Dependent
  + Adding CTC/COD to a Tax Return
  + Restricting CTC/COD in a Tax Return When Ineligible
  + Divorced Parents: When Can Noncustodial Parent Claim Child?
  + What is a Multiple Support Agreement to Claim a Qualifying Relative?
  + Implications of SS/Disability Payments on Filing Status & Dependency​
ITIN
  + ITINs 2021: Numbers that expire and steps to take
  + Tax Law Change & ITINs [bilingual, updated for 2021]
  + Frequently Asked Questions re: ITINs 
​​​  + ITIN Application/Renewal Referral
  + You must have a TIN by the due date of the return (CTC/ODC)
  + Working with Undocumented Clients (2020 VIDEO)
  + What to do when an ITIN holder gets a SSN
  + ITIN Document Requirements: English | Spanish
  + Required docs for dependents: under age 6 | age 6 to 17 yrs
  + Proof of US residency options: English | Spanish

  + About ITINs
  + Which ITIN Numbers Need to be Renewed? [2021]
  + ITIN Applicants on a Tax Return: Who is Eligible for an ITIN?
  + Process & Preparation: ITIN Applications in TaxSlayer
  + Process & Preparation: ITIN Renewals in TaxSlayer
  + Finalizing Paper Returns for ITIN Applicant Taxpayers
  + Tax Credit Eligibility & ITIN Filers
  + Restricting CTC/COD in a Tax Return When Ineligible
  + When an ITIN Holder Gets a SSN
  + ITIN FAQ
  + ITIN Application/Renewal Referral Form Site Managers & Staff Only!
  + Working With Undocumented Clients [2020 video; 2m25s]
​ITIN Application/Renewal Resources:
 + ITIN Application & Renewal Process Chart [EN] [SP]
 + Required Documents for Dependents: < age 6 | age 6-17
 + Options to Prove US Residency [EN] [SP]
​
​SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
  + Policy: Discovering During Prep That Income Exceeds FC Threshold
  + Policy & Preparation: Incarcerated Spouse
  + Policy & Preparation: MFJ with Deceased Spouse
  + Policy & Preparation: Court-Appointed Rep/Executor for Deceased TP
  + Policy & Preparation: Deceased Dependent
  + Policy & Preparation: Power of Attorney
​  + Policy & Preparation: MFJ with Spouse in a Combat Zone
  + Policy & Preparation: Injured Spouse Allocation (Form 8379)
  + Policy & Preparation: Taxpayers With Nonresident Alien Spouses
  + Declaration of Residency: NRA Spouse as Resident [bilingual form]
  + Understanding "Total & Permanent Disability"
STANDARD VS. ITEMIZED DEDUCTION
​  + Quick Calculation Tool: Should the Taxpayer Itemize? [2020] [2019]             [2018] [2017]
  + A Note About Deducting Mortgage Insurance Premiums [2018-2020]

MORE VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

  + COVID-19 Self-Screening Health Questions for On-site Client Liaisons        & Communication Protocols
  + First Day Checklist for Volunteers
  + How to Find other Training Courses in TalentLMS Course Catalog               Screencast video
  + How to Look Up My Volunteer ID Screencast video
  + How to Log My Hours in MyVolunteerPage account
  + Slack course PDF copy
  + Hub course PDF copy
  + TalentLMS Training Portal Login Page
  + Virtual Volunteer Role Descriptions
  + TaxSlayer Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Guide
  + Volunteer Training Guide (Cross-Train or "Level-Up")
  + What to do if you have Downtime during volunteer shift/Other ways to         help
​  + 2021 Guidelines for Volunteers To Prepare Their Own Returns On-Site

INCOME

FORM W-2 
 + Policy & Preparation: Form W-2
 + Entering W-2 Data from a Transcript or Paystub
 + Redacted SSN on an ITIN Holder's W-2 - What Can We Do?
 + Understanding W-2 Box 12 Codes
 + Entering Unreported Tip Income
FORM 1099-R​
 + About Form 1099-R: Scope, Codes & Distribution Exceptions
 + Using the Simplified Method to Determine Taxable Amount
 + Rollovers
 + Treating Disability as Earned Income
 + Early Distributions & the CARES Act (Form 8915-E) [2020 only] 
 + Annuity/Pension Exclusion Calculator [a calculator for tax nerds]
SOCIAL SECURITY
​  + About Social Security: Types & Taxation
  + About Lump-Sum Payments
  + Determining the Taxable Portion of SS Benefits [calculator]
  + Implications of SS/Disability Payments on Filing Status & Dependency
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)
  + About Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
  + Reporting HSA Data in TaxSlayer
OTHER INCOME TYPES & CIRCUMSTANCES
  + About Alimony as Income or Deduction 
  + About & Policy: Medical Research Payments & 1099-NEC/1099-MISC
  + Reporting Capital Gains With Basis Not Reported to the IRS (1099-B)
  + Reporting Unemployment Without Form 1099-G
  + Misclassified Employees Screening Tool [bilingual]
  + Household Employees Without Form W-2
​SELF-EMPLOYMENT (1099-NEC, 1099-K, CASH)
  + Is the Business TYPE in Scope for VITA? [screening tool]
  + Is the Schedule C Out of Scope for VITA?​ Business loss is OOS!
  + Is the Business Mileage Expense in Scope for VITA?​ [online calculator]
​  + Common Schedule C business codes [or view complete list here]
  + Understanding Commuter Miles
  + Standard Mileage Reimbursement Rates by Year (Use "Business")
  + Understanding How Uber/Lyft/Favor Report Income
  + List of Business EINs for Masked Transcripts
  + Policy & Preparation: Taxpayer Received 1099-MISC Not 1099-NEC
  + When Both Spouses Share a Business
  + GENERAL SE Worksheet [ENG] [SP]  New!
  + RIDESHARE/DELIVERY SE Worksheet [ENG] [SP] New!
  + MUSICIAN/ARTIST/WRITER/PERF SE Worksheet [ENG] [SP] New!
  + Self-Employment Tax Deferral [2020 returns only] [video; 6m54s]
 ​ + Clients with Self Employment [2021 video; 8m14s]
Self-Employment Resources for Taxpayers:
  + Estimated Payments Calculator
  + Mileage Log Template
  + Self-Employed? Tips on Recordkeeping & Taxes [handout] [EN] [SP]
  + Roadmap to RideShare Taxes [handout] | www.ridesharetaxhelp.com/
  + Resources for Small Business Owners

CREDITS

REBATE RECOVERY CREDIT (RRC) [2020 only]
  + Economic Impact Payments (EIP) Overview (aka stimulus payments)
  + When is EIP/RRCredit Offset for Child Support/Debt? 
  + Recovery Rebate Credit​ (VIDEO for 2020 Tax Returns)
CHILD TAX CREDIT & CREDIT FOR OTHER DEPENDENTS
  + Adding CTC/COD to a Tax Return
  + Restricting CTC/COD in a Tax Return When Ineligible
​  + Advance Child Tax Credit [2021 only]
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC)
  + Lookback Rule for EITC/ACTC (VIDEO for 2020 Tax Returns)
  + You must have an SSN by the due date of the return (EITC)
  + How to indicate a return is ineligible for EITC  [new]​
OTHER CREDITS
  + Credit for Sick Leave and Family Leave (VIDEO for 2020 Tax Returns)
  + More information on the credit for sick leave and family leave
  + IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool
​  + Who can take the retirement contribution credit-Form 8880 Instructions

EDUCATION CREDITS (Form 1098-T)

  + Education worksheet for all tax years
  + Education Credit Checklist [intake/preparation] New!
  + Education Credit How-To: From A to Z [check this out!]
  + Education worksheet printing to PDF
  + Education benefits training video
  + Qualified Expenses By School/Institution [table]
  + Which scholarships/grants can be used for living expenses?
  + When is Form 1098-T out of scope? [Box 4 or 6]
  + When is Form 8615 (Kiddie Tax) out of scope?
  + Publication 970
  + Pull 1098-T & summary: [ACC] [Texas State] [UT] [Texas Tech] [St. Ed]
  + Education Credits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
​  + ACC webpage on 1098-Ts and tax reporting
​  + Referring to College Hub [new]

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (Form 1095-A)

  + Understanding the Affordable Care Act and Form 1095
  + About APTCs and Reconciliation
  + Alert: APTC Repayment for 2020 Tax Returns
  + Reporting Form 1095-A in TaxSlayer
  + Get Form 1095-A: Online at healthcare.gov | By phone: [ENG] [SP]
  + Chart of APTC Repayment Caps
  + When Taxpayer Has Filed But Needs to Reconcile APTCs (Form 8962)
  + About MFS Filers Who Have Received APTCs
  + Policy: Preparing a Return to Reconcile APTCs for a Dependent Parent
  For tax years 2014 - 2018 
  + MEC, Affordability & Exemptions
  + List of Exemptions Chart
  + What is Considered Income for APTCs & Exemptions

AMENDMENTS (Form 1040-X)

  + Amendments: When E-file and When Paper?
  + Policy & Background: Amended Returns - Form 1040-X
  + Preparing & Printing Amendments in TaxSlayer
  + Amending to Revise Filing Status: MFJ/MFS
  + Amendment FAQ
  + Check Amended Return Status with IRS: www.irs.gov/wmar

QUALITY REVIEW & CLOSING STEPS

  QUALITY REVIEW  
  + Online Feedback Form​ 
  + Quality Review & Closing a Return: A How-To Guide
​  + Policy: Signing a Minor Child's Return 
  + How to Conduct a Quality Review [2020 video;16m47s]
  ​+ How to Close a Return in TaxSlayer [2021 video; 8m5s]
REFUND/TAX OWED
  + Bank routing numbers
​  + What you need to know about direct debit dates! [updated]
  + 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
  + Consider a savings bond! |  Savings Bonds FAQ | Form 8888 instruc
  + Save Your Refund Prizes Flyer | Tip Sheet
  + Videos: Introduce Savings | Give Savings Advice | Splitting the Refund
RETURN TYPE: EFile vs Paper
  + When Is It a Paper Return? Updated!
​  + Where Do I Mail a Paper Return? [IRS addresses]
  + Attaching a Transcript to a Paper Return for Mailing
  + When to Use Form 8453
​  + E-File & Paper Return Types [2021 video; 8m43s]

EXTENSION / END OF SEASON

 + We Cannot Prepare Your Return [client handout] [EN] [SP]  
Extensions:
​  + Summer Flyer:
                 Eng: https://bit.ly/3hoJCIQ           
                 Spn: https://bit.ly/3uGoPUO
                 Bilingual (and to print onsite): https://bit.ly/2SJoYst​
  + Tax Prep Options End of Season:
                  Eng: https://bit.ly/3y6oTPS  |  Spn: https://bit.ly/3y4Qfpu 
  + Mailing options on June 15
  + Form 4868 Extension (with mailing address): https://bit.ly/33vycKW
  + Instructions for Helping Clients File Extensions
  + Instructions for estimating tax liability with example scenarios

CLIENT FLYERS & REFERRALS

  + Outside Referrals for Tax Issues
​  + Taxpayer Advocate Service: Video | Website
​  + Low Income Taxpayer Clinics 2019 List 
  + Round Rock United Way VITA Flyer in English | Flyer in Spanish
  + AARP Tax Season 2021 Flyer
  + Tax Help Summer 2021 Season Flyer (https://bit.ly/3hZdSbL)
  + Foreign Student and Scholars Program Flyer
  + Public website: ProsperCenters.org
  + Resource for Requesting Mortgage Assistance: English | Spanish 
  + 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

IRS RESOURCES

​IRS Publications & Resources 
  + IRS Pub 4012​ 
  + IRS Pub 17
  + Instructions for Form 1040 
​​  + Pub 4491 VITA/TCE Training Guide
​  + Pub 4299 Privacy, Confidentiality, and Civil Rights
​  + Pub 4053 Civil Rights: https://bit.ly/3k0vnaE
  + Pub 4836 VolTax Info: https://bit.ly/3mV0ExB
​
​Other Resources
  + FC Virtual Plan for Tax Season 2021 
  + FC Security Plan: DO | NO | SO | SE | LW | RR | AA
  + 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!]
TAXSLAYER RESOURCES
+ Selecting the correct return status
 + TaxSlayer Pro Login 
​ + Login Tips here!
 + TaxSlayer Pro Practice Lab Login
​+ For Tax Preparers: How to Close a Return in TaxSlayer

VIRTUAL RESOURCES

  + Hub Login  | Slack Login 
  + Slack: A Brief How To Guide for your volunteer shift
  + Read before your volunteer shift (outline for video below)
  + Watch before your volunteer shift
  + Hub Status/Stage Definition 
  + Intake Process Flow Chart 
    + Hub Ticket Naming Conventions
  + Hub Notes & Messages Guide
  + Steps to place a hold on tickets with unemployment 
 + OLD: SE Income/Expense Sheet (Fillable: https://bit.ly/3uDNs4K)
  + Review Call Summary Template | Review Call Instructions
  + How to Close out Tickets in the Hub    + Virtual Security Guidelines | Reporting Data Breaches 
  + Administrative Volunteer Guide
  + Contingency Plan for Volunteers 
  + Meeting Space for Slack Outages
  + Chrome Remote Desktop Instructions 
​  + Need help filing your taxes? (VIDEO)
  + Necesita ayuda para declarar sus impuestos? (VIDEO)