No images? Click here Dear John, Wow, what a year 2020 has been! Thinking back to January, VITA programs have weathered a lot, and there’s a lot more in store for the next season. With virtual or alternative service delivery models under construction and planning well under way, the TON team would like to thank you for your continued and tireless dedication to the clients you serve. I’ve witnessed many back-and-forth conversations on the Tax Roundtable listserv this year that have informed, educated and inspired me as I consider the future of our field. Before we turn the page on this year, thank you again. I look forward to seeing what 2021 brings and how we can move forward together. Happy Holidays! “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ― C.S. Lewis Spotlight: Virtual VITA ToolkitWith the changing of the seasons, tax planning is in full swing! Virtual is the word of the year, and Prosperity Now is here to help support your Virtual VITA implementation with our new Virtual VITA toolkit. This toolkit was made possible with the generous support of the Citi Foundation, and includes resources on topics from supporting volunteers to increasing digital literacy among your clients. Download the toolkit and use it in your planning today! Updates from the NetworkCast Your Vote! Thanks to all who nominated a peer to serve on the Network Steering Committee (NSC). Now, it’s time to cast your vote. You can find the full slate of nominees here. And be sure to cast your vote by December 18. Raise Your Voice! Because the pandemic’s fallout has reduced the earnings of millions of low-income people, when they file their tax returns, they may face sharply reduced EITC and CTC. Please take a moment to contact your representatives and senators and ask them to support the “COVID-19 Earned Income Act” to ensure that low-income families can use the wages reported in their 2019 tax returns to compute the EITC and the CTC on their 2020 tax return. Enhanced Data Collection Are you interested in learning more about your clients and how the COVID-19 public health crisis has impacted their sense of financial well-being? Sign up for our Enhanced Data Collection project to receive survey questions that will help you learn more. This year, the survey will be available online and via printable format. The VITA-Train is Here! All aboard! The VITA-Train is finally here! The revamped platform provides training at the Advanced Level certification through our modular learning process. In addition, modules feature conversations with the updaters to share their thoughts on the modules 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! VITA Leadership Institute Resources The VITA Leadership Institute Resource page 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. Knights of the Tax Roundtable You don’t want to miss out on the most recent Knights of the Tax Roundtable on the most recent enhanced data collection projects by Prosperity Now. Knights of the Tax Roundtable puts a face to the names you see on the Tax Roundtable and brings answers to your burning tax hot topics! 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 highlighting a key partnership that has and continues to connect eligible filers to VITA programs. Tools and Information for the FieldUpdates from the IRS and SPECBreaking IRS Updates News Updates: Form 1040-X E-File 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. 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. Your feedback is needed for federal and state returns as well as reports. Learning |