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Dear John,
In this topsy-turvy year, we’re thankful to have you in our network. This month, the Taxpayer Opportunity Network (TON) has a lot of new materials in store. First, we’re looking for new leaders to join our Network Steering Committee. These trusted advisors help guide TON forward, and we’d love to hear your voice as we chart our course over the next year. Next, the newest edition of the VITA-Train has pulled into the station. Our modular training platform provides plug-and-play ability to guide your volunteers through their tax law training. Finally, we just released our latest report, “Weathering the Storm”, which focuses on TON’s data collection efforts on VITA clients at tax time. The filing season will be here soon, and there’s even more on the horizon. Stay tuned.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rebecca M. Thompson, Associate Director, Field Engagement & TON
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has.”
-Epictetus
Spotlight: Steering Committee Nominations
The Network Steering Committee (NSC) supports the work of TON and advises it regarding its strategies and assistance to community tax programs and the taxpayers they serve. The NSC also helps to develop new leaders with a focus on populations currently underrepresented in VITA program leadership, including people of color and people with disabilities.
We are seeking five new NSC members to share ownership and leadership and increase the Network’s vibrancy, engagement and effectiveness. While all nominations are welcome, we are particularly interested in candidates who:
Serve rural, native, tribal or immigrant communitiesServe limited English-speaking populationsServe persons with disabilitiesAre persons of color
If you (yes, you can nominate yourself!) or someone you know is or has the potential to be a leader in the community tax preparation field, you, or they, may be a great fit for the TON Steering Committee.
Please complete this nomination form [[link removed]] by Monday, November 30.Learn more about the Steering Committee Duties and Qualifications here [[link removed]].Please share this opportunity with others and encourage people to join the Taxpayer Opportunity Network [[link removed]]!Have questions? Email [
[email protected]]. Updates from the Network
The VITA-Train is Here
All aboard! The VITA-Train is finally here [[link removed]]! The revamped platform provides training for Advanced Level certification through our modular learning process. In addition, modules feature conversations with the updaters, who share their thoughts on the module and what volunteers can expect. Feel free to explore the modules and supplement your training where you see fit. We’ll be updating the VITA-Train for new content (Extenders, Practice Returns, etc.), so be sure to stay tuned for any update releases.
Prosperity Now Report Released
Prosperity Now has issued our newest report, “ Weathering the Storm [[link removed]].” This report focuses on tax time financial capability and well-being for VITA clients based on survey and data analysis. Drawing on experiences at 25 sites, this report shares new insights on how VITA clients were faring pre-pandemic. We urge you to pass it on to your networks.
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 continues to connect eligible filers to VITA programs.
Knights of the Tax Roundtable
You don’t want to miss out on the most recent Knights of the Tax Roundtable [[link removed]] about the newest enhanced data collection projects by Prosperity Now. Knights of the Tax Roundtable [[link removed]] puts a face to the names you see on the Tax Roundtable and answers your burning tax questions.
VITA Leadership Institute Resources
The VITA Leadership Institute Resource page [[link removed]] is now live with fully updated worksheets. You can check out the cultivated resources of the cohort and utilize them for your own programs as you plan for the upcoming filing season.
Guide to Economic Impact Payments
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released a guide [[link removed]] on connecting consumers to Economic Impact Payments (EIP). This guide will help your organization connect with clients who require assistance claiming their EIP. It will have tools for discussing the payment with the client, determining next steps and troubleshooting common questions. Check out the toolkit [[link removed]] today.
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-File
Taxpayers 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 federal and state returns as well as reports.
Learning
OpportunitiesUpcoming Learning Opportunities
Join our brand-new advocacy campaign [[link removed]] to call for full VITA funding at $30 million. Let your members of Congress hear from you and how important VITA is to your community. Every dollar counts for VITA programs, so please sign on today [[link removed]].
If you have ideas for future learning events, stories or resources, contact us at
[email protected] [[link removed]].
Recent Webinars and Events
VITA Leadership Institute Year One Analysis [[link removed]]
October 22, 2020
After a successful VITA Leadership Institute, we want to share our results with you and tell you 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.
TON COVID-19 Listening Session [[link removed]]
April 28, 2020
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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