Tax Prep Dispatch: COVID-19 and VITA

Editor's Note: This edition of the Tax Prep Dispatch was written by Justin Chu, Senior Program Associate for Prosperity Now. This knowledge is current for March 13, 2020. If you have any questions that you want to ask us directly or share some best practices, please join us on our special listening session on March 17 at 1 - 2 PM ET. 

This week, the U.S. experienced a significant increase in reported cases of COVID-19 or coronavirus. This virus has now been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, with over 125,000 cases reported worldwide. To date, there are nationwide restrictions on travel and group gatherings. As efforts are being made to stem the tide of the spread of the virus, and the implications to the filing season, concern for VITA sites and clients are increasing. Before diving into the immediate impact on VITA sites, let's take a moment to share some resources on COVID-19. You can learn more about the disease at the FAQ's at the Center for Disease Control's website or the World Health Organization. These resources will give you the facts surrounding the disease and the most pressing knowledge of its transmission, symptoms and prevention. 

What About VITA? 

As any VITA veteran knows, there's a lot of person-to-person interaction at each VITA site. From intake, return preparation, and quality review, VITA sites are always abuzz with people. In order to take the most relevant precautions, we recommend VITA sites take the following steps: 

1. Do NOT attempt to come into the site if you have the COVID-19 symptoms: 
   • Fever
   • Dry Coughing
   • Difficulty Breathing
2. Prioritize enhanced general hygiene and health practices.
3. Provide hand sanitizer, tissues, and surface wipes for staff. 
4. Staff and volunteers should individually wipe down their work space (remember to let the surface air dry, do not dry it with a towel). 
5. Sanitize common areas. 
6. Refrain from shaking hands or hugging.

Be sure to follow the old adage, "it's better to be safe than sorry!" If your site location is closing, or if you feel like you need to close your VITA site due to lack of volunteers or just a desire for general safety, be sure to inform your IRS SPEC Relationship Manager, volunteers, site coordinators and potential clients. With the emergence of new information on the spread of the disease, do what you feel is best for your own program, staff and clients as we work together to curb the spread of the virus. 

Going Forward Together

VITA sites specialize in adaptation. If you want to reduce your face-to-face risk, some of your fellow VITA programs have used the following tools:

1. Drop-off and Virtual VITA
2. Remote FSA
3. Virtual Intake

There is currently no formalized guidance from IRS SPEC in terms of meeting VITA grant MREs, extending the filing season, or extending the grant deadline. The Taxpayer Opportunity Network is here to help advocate for you with IRS SPEC to make sure your concerns are addressed. You can stay updated on this information by signing up for our listserv or just keeping an eye on the mailing list by making sure you are a member of our Network. 

We're hosting a special listening session on Tuesday, March 17 from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. ET, so please join us to share your thoughts. You can always email us at [email protected]. 

In this unprecedented time, it can feel like you're swimming against the current. The Taxpayer Opportunity Network team is here in partnership to make sure we get through this together. Stay safe and always use your better judgment to protect yourself, your volunteers and your clients. 

In Partnership, 

Justin Chu

1200 G Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC xxxxxx
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