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Dear John,

For some, October is the spookiest month – ghosts, ghouls, and monsters galore! For VITA practitioners, October is filled with equally scary topics: training, recruiting and planning! Don’t be afraid though, the Taxpayer Opportunity Network is here to help you conquer your fears. This month, we’re excited to share a few initiatives with you! First, we have a brand-new video series called the “Knights of the Tax Roundtable” where we invite a few VITA all-stars to share some of their thoughts on hot topics for the season. In addition, we’ll host a webinar with our VITA Leadership Institute members to share their insights from the inaugural cohort. Finally, we have the VITA-Train coming up, so keep an eye out for more information! We’ve got plenty to explore so don’t be scared – we’ve got more treats than tricks this year!

Happy Fall!

Rebecca M. Thompson, Associate Director, Field Engagement & TON

The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It’s the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society and we’ve got to use it.

​—John Lewis

Spotlight: Knights of the Tax Roundtable!

Managing the many facets of the VITA program can be a daunting task, but the Knights of the Tax Roundtable are here for you! These video conversations with your VITA peers share their thoughts on the hottest topics leading up the start of the filing season. You can check out these conversations on the Prosperity Now Youtube channel [[link removed]]. The first three conversations are live now so don’t miss out! If you have any ideas for future topics, please email us [mailto:[email protected]]!

Updates from the Network

The VITA-Train is Coming ‘Round

There’s another VITA-Train coming around to the station, and we have a few more surprises in store! This year, the VITA-Train will include modules to help volunteers certify to the Advanced Level. In addition, we’ve streamlined some of the training to include conversations with the updaters and TON members to share what you and your volunteers should look out for in each module. There’s a lot in store so keep an eye out for more information.

Nonprofits Band Together

Partnerships and collaboration are key to any successful venture, especially when it comes to delivering and scaling free tax preparation services. Check out this thought piece [[link removed]] highlighting a key partnership that has and continues to connect eligible filers to VITA programs.

Prosperity Now Grant Announcements

Prosperity Now is proud to announce two grants through the generous sponsorship of the Citi Foundation [[link removed]] and Blue Meridian Partners [[link removed]]. Please check out our blog posts for more information on these two great initiatives and how they will help the community tax preparation field going forward.

CFPB Tax Time Savings Initiative

If you’re interested in expanding, servicing, and adapting tax time savings efforts, please apply to the next CFPB Tax Time Savings Initiative through this updated application. Send this application [[link removed]] to the email [[email protected]]. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

CFPB EIP Guide

The CFPB has released a new guide [[link removed]] on connecting consumers to the Economic Impact Payment. This guide will help your organization connect with clients who require assistance on their EIP. It’ll have tools for discussing the payment with the client, determining next steps, and troubleshooting common questions. Check out the toolkit [[link removed]] today!

Stimulus Payments Outreach Toolkit

Governors leading COVID-19 response efforts and state health and human services agencies that administer assistance programs are uniquely positioned to reach the estimated 12 million people eligible for stimulus payments who will not get them automatically. To help inform these non-filers through already established communication channels, CBPP released a toolkit [[link removed]] with templates for online outreach, earned media, scripts, graphics, and more. While geared toward state agencies and officials, the materials can be used by anyone conducting stimulus payments outreach. The toolkit will also be available in Spanish.

Stimulus Payments Outreach Webinar Recording

View the recording and slides [[link removed]] from the Get It Back Campaign’s webinar on resources and strategies for conducting stimulus payments outreach.

Tools and Information for the FieldUpdates from the IRS and SPEC

Breaking IRS Updates

To stay informed on the most recent IRS updates on the COVID-19 outbreak and the associated Economic Impact Payments, you can go directly to their tax relief page [[link removed]]!

News Updates: Form 1040-X E-FileTaxpayers will now be able to file the Form 1040-X for amended returns! Given the current environment, this is invaluable for clients! Please read the IRS press release here [[link removed]].

IRS SPEC Partner Webcast Schedule

Click here [[link removed]] 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.

TaxSlayer Suggestion Box [[link removed]]

Do you have thoughts or ideas on how TaxSlayer could be improved to help you run your sites more efficiently and make it easier to prepare and file more quality returns? Share them in the  VITA/TCE Suggestion Box [[link removed]]. Your feedback is needed for both federal and state returns, as well as reports.

Learning

OpportunitiesUpcoming Learning Opportunities

VITA Leadership Institute Year One Analysis [[link removed]]

October 22, 2020 | 1 – 2 PM ET

After a successful VITA Leadership Institute, we want you to join us in sharing our results and how we plan to move forward! This is a can’t-miss event for newer programs wanting to get an inside look at all aspects of a great VITA program!

If you have ideas for future learning events, stories or resources, contact us at  [email protected] [[link removed]].

Recent Webinars and Events

TON COVID-19 Listening Session [[link removed]]

We’ve broken down the most impactful resources from our national partners around COVID-19 as well as the new GetYourRefund.org virtual VITA pilot.

Evaluating Tax Time Savings Behaviors [[link removed]]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!

Latest Tax Prep Dispatch

The Shrinking Offseason [[link removed]]

July 1, 2020

Reset Button [[link removed]]

May 1, 2020

Non-Filers 101 [[link removed]]

April 15, 2020

Alternative Service Delivery Tips! [[link removed]]

April 6, 2020

Signed, Sealed, Delivered? [[link removed]]

March 30, 2020

The Drop-Off Process [[link removed]]

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 and VITA [[link removed]]

March 13, 2020

Browse older editions of the Dispatch [[link removed]]

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