Inside: #MyVITAStory, FSA Resource Page and more!
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From the Editor
Dear John,
This month, we’ve got a special treat for you! Click the video below or download the transcript to find out more!
“It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become”
-Dr. Seuss
Spotlight: #MyVITAStory
Click here for the VITA Awareness Day social media toolkit.
Updates from the Network
VITA & the Census
As trusted resources in your communities, VITA programs and volunteers are in the perfect position to encourage people to complete their census forms once they are done with their taxes. Community Action Partnership has developed a toolkit with the information and resources you need to ensure that you and your volunteers are informed and comfortable talking about the census.
FSA Resource Page
If FSA makes you C-R-Y, we've got the solution for you! Check out our new Facilitated Self Assistance Resource Page featuring two toolkits that provide a comprehensive look at FSA and how to get it implemented at your site!
Virtual Intake Website:
Code for America has partnered with VITA sites to provide a user-friendly VITA locator tool. You can check out this website and explore it to find out more!
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland launched Ridesharetaxhelp.com to help you help self-employed workers understand their tax situation and calculate their estimated tax payments.
New CFPB Report Released
The CFPB has released a new paper following its Tax Time Savings cohort of 75 VITA programs from 33 states and Washington, DC. This paper covers the newest findings from the cohort and the types of tools, resources and training that are on the cutting edge of the tax-time financial capability sphere.
Tools and Information for the Field
Updates from the IRS and SPEC
Quality Alerts Now Live!
If you have questions or missed any of the IRS Quality and Tax Alerts, you can find them here! The first Quality Site Requirement Alert of the year surrounds Quality Site Requirement #4 so be sure to read about it!
TaxSlayer Partner Call Schedule
You can join your fellow tax preparation partners and TaxSlayer representatives to get answers to your questions during the filing season.
The call schedule is listed below. Each call will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
Each call has a unique dial-in, so please use the following numbers:
- March 12, 2020
- Dial-in: 888-251-2949
- Access Code: 5384539#
- March 26, 2020
- Dial-in: 888-251-2949
- Access Code: 2586709#
Site Coordinator Corner
The filing season is here! Be sure to get your site coordinator materials ready by going to the IRS SPEC Site Coordinator Corner here!
IRS SPEC Partner Webcast Schedule
Click here to get the full 2020 schedule for IRS SPEC Partner Webcasts to ensure that you stay up-to-date on the latest news and resources from IRS SPEC.
Reminder: TaxSlayer Suggestion Box
The VITA/TCE Suggestion Box is designed for you to share your feedback and ideas on the software that will assist you in servicing your taxpayers. Click here to submit your suggestions.
Learning Opportunities
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Got an Idea?
If you’ve got a great idea for us to use as a new learning opportunity, or if you've got a learning opportunity coming up, please do not hesitate to email us directly at [email protected]. Your ideas help fuel the projects and bring them to life.
Recent Webinars and Events
Evaluating Tax Time Savings Behaviors
Have you ever wondered what tax time savings and behaviors look like on the national scale? Well, wonder no more because the Taxpayer Opportunity Network is here to provide you with the answers!
2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard Data Launch
This webinar kicked off the 2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard now complete with city, county, metro area, Congressional District and tribal area levels!
Don't Spin Your Wheels: VITA-Train Year 2 Launch
The VITA-Train has pulled out of the station! Check out this webinar to get the scoop on the most recent VITA-Train!
Lunch and Learn Series: Volunteer Management Software
Each hour-long session focused on both a peer-led lens and a presentation from the software vendor which culminated in an interactive question and answer session with attendees.
Find out more about the Voter Filer Registration project and how you can implement it at tax time and your site!
Latest Tax Prep Dispatch
Tuition and
Fees Deduction Review
February 28, 2019
What's New with the Forms?
December 5, 2019
What's New?
November 5, 2019
I Hereby Pledge
October 4, 2019
