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Dear John,

Happy end of – oh, wait! We’ve still got another month to go! Despite all these changes and extensions, the VITA program perseveres. You are a part of that – so thank you. On behalf of the whole TON and Prosperity Now team, thank you for all the work you’ve done, and the many ways you’ve gone above and beyond during this filing season. We are thrilled to have your partnership, ideas and resources to share with the field at large.

Not long after the end of the filing season, TON will host the postseason debrief. Our annual call-in show brings your field-based perspective to the forefront, so you do not want to miss out. In addition, we will release our end-of-season survey, so get your data ready. It is another opportunity to share your feedback with us directly; we look forward to receiving your answers. We have a lot on our dance cards in the upcoming months.

As always, we encourage you to share your questions, comments and challenges with the rest of your fellow VITA tax peers at the Tax_Roundtable listserv [[link removed]].

Many Happy Returns!

Rebecca M. Thompson, Director, Field Engagement & TON

“Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.”

— Orison Swett Marden

Spotlight: Tax Season Debrief Coming Soon!

There are no dull tax seasons, and this year has certainly been no exception. The Taxpayer Opportunity Network team wants to hear about your experiences this filing season – your clients, operations, challenges and successes. This unique call-in show provides an interactive way to share your experiences and practices directly with your peers, TON staff and other community tax preparation champions. Bring your perspectives for this peer-driven event. We’re excited to hear more from you. We will be sending out invitations for the event soon. Keep an eye on your inbox in the next few weeks. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon (virtually)!

Updates from the Network

VITA Leadership Institute Resources

Are you ready for the next VITA Grant Application Cycle? The VITA Leadership Institute Resource page [[link removed]] is live with fully updated worksheets to help with your VITA grant and program planning. You can check out the cultivated resources from the cohort and use them for your own program as you prepare for your VITA grant application and with your planning for next filing season.

Virtual VITA Toolkit

Need help tackling the Virtual VITA process? Prosperity Now has developed a Virtual VITA toolkit [[link removed]] with the resources and supports to help you transition to Virtual VITA. The toolkit addresses elements of the Virtual VITA process from both the client and volunteer perspective. Check it out today.

All Aboard the VITA-Train!

All aboard! The VITA-Train is here [[link removed]]! The revamped platform provides Advanced Level certification training 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.

MyFreeTaxes

MyFreeTaxes.com is now live for 2021. You can use the link for the direct MyFreeTaxes site [[link removed]] and the partner portal [[link removed]]. Check out MyFreeTaxes and share with your community today.

EIP Guide

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau updated their guide on the three Economic Impact Payments in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Tagalog. This guide [[link removed]] answers a series of FAQs based around the newest tax law information all in one convenient location.

Second Stimulus Check FAQs

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign has 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.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a blog [[link removed]] on the Recovery Rebate Credit, EITC lookback and reasons to file. Be sure to pass this on to your partners.

RideShareTaxHelp is Now Live!

RideSharetaxHelp.com [[link removed]] is 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.

Unemployment Benefits & Taxes

The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign has new resources to help people understand taxes and unemployment benefits: a guide to paying federal, state and local taxes on unemployment benefits [[link removed]] and a guide to the 1099-G Form and how different states deliver it [[link removed]].

Self-Employment Tax Calculator

The Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland have updated their estimated payments calculator [[link removed]] that is part of the Roadmap to Rideshare Taxes project. [[link removed]] This tool helps self-employed workers calculate their estimated tax payments.

Lookback Resources

Commonwealth has developed a messaging toolkit [[link removed]] to help you communicate about the “Lookback Rule”. These messages are perfect to plug into your program’s digital and print marketing and outreach materials and are available in both English and Spanish. Check out the toolkit and share the messages with your clients and stakeholders.

Knights of the Tax Roundtable

Catch the latest edition of the Knights of the Tax Roundtable [[link removed]] on the tax season kickoff. 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.

Tools and Information for the FieldUpdates from the IRS and SPEC

TaxSlayer Support Info:

Please use the following information to create a support ticket with TaxSlayer this filing season:

Phone: 1-800-421-6346

Email: [[email protected]]

Support Hours (Beginning April 16):

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 8: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 15: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. ET

Also, be sure to check out the TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Blog [[link removed]] for important software updates.

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.

Link and Learn

The online certification and tax law curriculum from IRS SPEC is available for use by VITA/TCE volunteers. This Fact Sheet [[link removed]] and Volunteer Tax Alert [[link removed]] provide important information necessary for certification.

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

Stimulus Check Outreach Part II: Hard-to-reach Populations Webinar

Thursday, April 22 at 3:00 PM ET

Join the Get it Back campaign to explore tools and strategies to conduct stimulus payments outreach in your community. Along with guests from Code for America and Tax Help Colorado, this training will cover how to: Use our new outreach toolkit to reach out in your community, Build partnerships to expand your impact, Assist people to successfully file a tax return even if you aren’t a tax preparer, and Navigate outreach barriers and challenges.

Register Now [[link removed]]

TON Post-Filing Season Debrief

Join the Taxpayer Opportunity Network and your peers on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 from 2-3:30 pm ET for our 2021 Season Debrief to share ideas, to collect new resources or maybe just to commemorate the tax season that was.

Virtual Advocacy

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

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

Recent Webinars and Events

How Tax Policy Can Help Low-Income Americans’ Pandemic Plight [[link removed]]

Feb. 26, 2021

In this episode of Tax Notes Talk, Rebecca Thompson of Prosperity Now discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected low-income communities and families of color in the United States, and what tax policy tools could help them.

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

Oct. 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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