Inside: Countdown to VITACon!
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From the Editor
Dear John,
VITACon is finally here! After months of planning and feedback, we’ve worked hard to develop a robust, two-day agenda all around the “VITAmins!”
- VITAMin V: Improving the Volunteer Life Cycle
- VITAMin S: Enhancing Tax Service Delivery Options
- VITAMin Q: Maintaining Quality Tax Prep
- VITAMin D: Centering Data in Our Decision-Making
- VITAMin R: Securing Resources to Support Our Work
- VITAMin A: Advocating for Safe, Effective Tax Prep
- VITAMin F: Integrating Financial Capability at Tax Time
If you want to take a look at our agenda, program booklet and PowerPoint slides, you’ll find them on our event page after VITACon. We’re incredibly excited to see you in Denver but if you can’t make it out this year, keep your eye out for the invitation to the Prosperity Summit in 2020 and VITACon 2021!
See you soon!
Rebecca M. Thompson
Project Director, Taxpayer Opportunity Network
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill
Spotlight: Countdown to VITACon!
Updates from the Network
Voter Filer Project
Last filing season, The Brookings Institute partnered with VITA programs in Cleveland and Dallas to register voters during the intake process at VITA sites. If you’re interested in learning more, you can read our most recent Tax Prep Dispatch.
All Call for VITA-Train Updates
We need your help! After the success of the VITA-Train, we need volunteers to help update the content and flow of the training program. If you're interested, please email us at [email protected].
America Saves Summit Save the Date
Taking place on November 6, 2019, The America Saves Summit: Attacking the Savings Crisis will feature prominent representatives from the government, private industry, financial services, academia, the military, the nonprofit sector and the media for an in-depth conversation about the current status of saving in the United States.
Tools and Information for the Field
New W-4s
The draft W-4 is live! If you’re trying to figure out what that means for VITA clients, read this edition of the Tax Prep Dispatch!
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland launched a new tool to help self-employed workers calculate their estimated tax payments. A part of the Roadmap to Rideshare Taxes project, the tool presents a snapshot of the user’s upcoming tax year after asking eight questions.
Updates from IRS and SPEC
IRS SPEC Partner Webcast Schedule
Click here to get the full 2019 schedule for IRS SPEC Partner Webcasts to ensure 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
As always, if you have ideas for future learning events, stories or resources, contact us at [email protected].
Recent Webinars and Events
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.
Q Is for Quality
January 17, 2019
The Taxpayer Opportunity Network team is committed to providing the crucial quality tips and solutions to help you maximize your quality rates going forward! Check out this webinar and see how new forms impact your tax season.
Slides | Recording
Looking Ahead: The Future of EITC and Working Families
November 15, 2018
During this peer discussion, we heard from field and institutional leaders who have pushed EITC state initiatives forward.
Slides | Recording
Latest Tax Prep Dispatch
Voter Registration at Tax
Time
August 30, 2019
What's Going on with Form W-4?
July 25, 2019
Foreign Student Returns
June 28, 2019
Can You Complete This VITA Crossword Puzzle?
May 10, 2019
Tax Triage 2019
April 12, 2019
