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Dear John,

The new year 2021 has entered like a lion, and we’re just getting started! With the heinous events at the Capitol and memories of the inauguration still fresh, it can feel like taxes are the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. So, please carve out a moment for yourself in the near future to relax, take a deep breath and clear your mind. Afterwards, we can turn our attention to the tax filing season at hand.

Although the official start of the filing season will be delayed until February 12, it is still just around the corner. We’re starting things off with EITC Awareness Day on the January 29, so keep an eye out for our toolkit and read a bit more about it in our Spotlight. In addition, please join our Tweet campaign [[link removed]] to thank your members of Congress for the additional VITA funding [[link removed]] for this year – a full $30 million! There’s quite a bit on tap for this month, and we’re excited to kick off the new year with you.

What a Start to the Year!

Rebecca M. Thompson, Director, Field Engagement & TON

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Spotlight: EITC Awareness Day Toolkit Coming Soon!

January 29 is EITC Awareness Day. Our annual celebration of this valuable credit and the start of the filing season will be marked by a toolkit for easy plug-and-play messaging. The toolkit will have messages and resources for tax preparation practitioners, policymakers, researchers and taxpayers. In addition to the social media messages, the toolkit will feature state-level data sheets to share with your stakeholders and shareable images.

Updates from the Network

Virtual VITA Resources

Prosperity Now has developed new Virtual VITA resources to help your program throughout the filing season! Our Virtual VITA Toolkit [[link removed]] can guide your program through design considerations to volunteer management in a fully virtual environment in a fully modular, plug-and-play design. In addition, our Alternative Tax Prep Options [[link removed]] page provides a collection resources and practices to shape your program’s alternative service delivery models from FSA to drop-off.

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 [[link removed]] project to receive survey questions [[link removed]] that will help you learn more. This year, the survey will be available online and in printable format.

Partner Resources

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign has developed resources on the second stimulus checks [[link removed]], stimulus eligibility for immigrants [[link removed]] and what to do if someone didn’t get their first or second stimulus checks [[link removed]]. Stay tuned for additional stimulus/Recovery Rebate Credit materials.

Commonwealth recently launched their Tax Time 2021 page [[link removed]] with new resources on the EITC lookback. Check out their page to find out more on the latest messages to communicate directly with your clients and other stakeholders.

RideShareTaxHelp is Now Live RideSharetaxHelp.com [[link removed]] is now updated for the 2021 tax filing season. This project of the Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland provides comprehensive guidance on tax filing for Uber and Lyft drivers. Tax info for food couriers will be added soon.

Knights of the Tax Roundtable

The latest edition of the Knights of the Tax Roundtable [[link removed]] sharing insights from the most recent 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 brings answers to your burning tax hot topics.

The VITA-Train is Here!

All aboard! The VITA-Train is here [[link removed]]! The revamped platform provides training at the 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 use them to supplement your training where you see fit. The VITA-Train will be updated with new content (Extenders, Practice Returns, etc.), so be sure to stay tuned for update releases.

VITA Leadership Institute Resource Page

Follow up with the successes of the VITA Leadership Institute on our VLI Resource Page [[link removed]], which covers all of the materials shared during the program, insights and tips for your VITA program. From program operations to fundraising, this page has you covered.

Tools and Information for the FieldUpdates from the IRS and SPEC

Filing Season Start Delayed

The IRS announced that the filing season will start on February 12, 2021. Read more about it in the IRS press release [[link removed]] and stay tuned for more information.

EITC Lookback

Under the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020, taxpayers impacted by a job loss or change in income in can elect to use their 2019 earned income to figure the credit if their 2019 earned income is more than their 2020 earned income; the same is true for the Additional Child Tax Credit. The IRS has a new video [[link removed]] on the EITC in 2021.

Link and Learn is Now Live

The online certification and tax law curriculum from IRS SPEC is now live and available for use for VITA/TCE programs. Check out the Fact Sheet [[link removed]] and the Volunteer Tax Alert [[link removed]] to get the information necessary for certification.

Get Ready for Taxes

The IRS has created a special page [[link removed]] on IRS.gov, outlining steps taxpayers can take now to prepare for the 2021 tax return filing season ahead.

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 2021 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

Four-Part Advocacy Network Calls

Beginning Tuesday, January 26, Prosperity Now policy experts will host a series of one-hour calls to discuss our 2021 federal policy priorities and what these policies would mean for your community. They will listen to your thoughts and answer your questions. The schedule for the calls is as follows:

Tuesday, January 26, at 2 p.m. ET: Right-Side Up Tax policy prioritiesTuesday, February 9, at 2 p.m. ET: Financial Security policy prioritiesTuesday, February 23, at 3 p.m. ET: Affordable Homeownership policy prioritiesTuesday, March 9, at 2 p.m. ET: Consumer Protections policy priorities

Don’t delay and sign up [[link removed]] today!

Virtually Advocating for Policy Change During a Pandemic

Want to get started on virtual advocacy, but don’t know how to start [[link removed]]? Visit our Prosperity Now Advocacy Toolkit [[link removed]] to find resources for effective advocacy at every level.

Tax Time 2021: What we know about “lookback” [[link removed]]

Thursday, January 28 | 3 PM ET

Join our partners at Commonwealth on this webinar to learn more about the EITC lookback and how it can impact tax time filers heading into the new filing season.

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 you to join us in sharing our results and how we plan on moving 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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