From the Editor

Dear John,

With VITACon firmly in the rear-view mirror and just before we turn our attention to the year ahead, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the VITACon highlights.

There were over 200 practitioners, stakeholders and partners who convened in Denver, more than 100 VITA-mins worksheets completed, and a fabulous celebration of VITA’s 50th Anniversary with a beautiful cake and plenty of delicious sandwiches served with a side of lasting connections. 88% of attendees said they were extremely or very likely to follow up a new connection they made in the next three months!

We’re all about building partnerships, sharing resources and bringing you—our wonderful field leaders—together! Keep an eye out for future opportunities to connect, starting with Prosperity Summit 2020!

Trick or Treat!

Rebecca M. Thompson
Project Director, Taxpayer Opportunity Network

“A champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall."

- Serena Williams

Spotlight: VITACon Reflections!

VITACon may be over but that doesn’t mean the learning is over quite yet! While we’re working to synthesize the more than 100 pages of notes complete with promising practices, challenges, ideas, tools and resources, we’re also thinking about the next steps for our key takeaways from those two days.

Here’s some of what we learned:

VITA programs are willing to take on more returns but need resources to support either the traditional face-to-face method or alternative filing methods, such as virtual VITA, facilitated self-assistance (FSA) and drop-off.
VITA programs need help with volunteer engagement and retention, especially in developing partnerships with potential volunteer bases.
VITA programs want the tools and resources to begin the conversation to integrate additional financial capability services into their tax preparation services.
VITA programs want to continue meeting in these types of settings and potentially expanding to coordinating more frequent regional convenings.

Keep an eye on the event page for all of the PowerPoints, notes, event survey summaries and more. Thanks again to all our sponsors, the planning committee, program participants and attendees! YOU made VITACon a success!

Updates from the Network

VITA Leadership Institute Launched

With the support of Wells Fargo, last month we launched the VITA Leadership Institute. As a part of the Institute, 10 VITA coalitions were selected to participate in an eight-month peer-learning and technical assistance program. You can learn more about the VLI and the cohort participants in our blog post.

Enhanced Data Collection Project Year 2
New year brings new data! TON is renewing our tax time enhanced data collection survey in response to high demand and the need to better understand the savings behaviors and financial well-being of VITA clients. As was the case last year, the TON team will directly pre-populate the custom questions into your site software. All you have to do is provide the EFINs of your participating sites and share the survey with your clients. If you’re interested in joining for the first time, or rejoining this project, you can fill out this form to get started!

Voter Filer Project
Last filing season, The Brookings Institute partnered with VITA programs in Cleveland and Dallas to register voters during the intake process at VITA sites. If you’re interested in learning more, and to find out how you can participate, you can read our most recent Tax Prep Dispatch.

All Call for VITA-Train Updates
We need your help! After the success of the VITA-Train, we need volunteers to help update the content and flow of the training program. If you're interested, please email us at [email protected].

America Saves Summit Save the Date
Taking place on November 6, 2019, The America Saves Summit: Attacking the Savings Crisis will feature prominent representatives from the government, private industry, financial services, academia, the military, the nonprofit sector and the media for an in-depth conversation about the current status of saving in the United States.

Tools and Information for the Field

Self-Employment Tax Calculator
The Center on Budget & Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland launched a new tool to help self-employed workers calculate their estimated tax payments. A part of the Roadmap to Rideshare Taxes project, the tool presents a snapshot of the user’s upcoming tax year after asking eight questions.

Updates from IRS and SPEC

Fact Sheet: Filing Season 2020 VITA/TCE Training and Site Materials

Fact Sheet: Partner and Volunteer Training for the Filing Season

Several of the forms and publications are now available online:

4012 (VITA/TCE Volunteer Resource Guide)

4491 (VITA/TCE Training Guide)

6744 (VITA/TCE Volunteer Assistor’s Test/Retest)

5088 (Site Coordinator Refresher Training)

IRS SPEC Partner Webcast Schedule
Click here to get the full 2019 schedule for IRS SPEC Partner Webcasts to ensure you stay up-to-date on the latest news and resources from IRS SPEC.

Reminder: TaxSlayer Suggestion Box
The VITA/TCE Suggestion Box is designed for you to share your feedback and ideas on the software that will assist you in servicing your taxpayers. Click here to submit your suggestions.

Learning Opportunities

Latest Tax Prep Dispatch

I Hereby Pledge
October 4, 2019

Voter Registration at Tax Time
August 30, 2019

What's Going on with Form W-4?
July 25, 2019

Browse older editions of the Dispatch

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

America Saves #SAVEAUTOMATICALLY Twitter Chat!
October 29 | 2pm ET
The easiest and most successful way to save is to SAVE AUTOMATICALLY. Join us in a #SaveAutomatically Twitter Chat! During this chat we’ll encourage individuals to save and share how to #ThinkLikeASaver by setting a goal and making a plan.

As always, if you have ideas for future learning events, stories or resources, contact us at [email protected].

Recent Webinars and Events

Lunch and Learn Series: Volunteer Management Software

Each hour-long session focused on both a peer-led lens and a presentation from the software vendor which culminated in an interactive question and answer session with attendees.

Q Is for Quality
January 17, 2019

The Taxpayer Opportunity Network team is committed to providing the crucial quality tips and solutions to help you maximize your quality rates going forward! Check out this webinar and see how new forms impact your tax season.
Slides | Recording

Looking Ahead: The Future of EITC and Working Families
November 15, 2018

During this peer discussion, we heard from field and institutional leaders who have pushed EITC state initiatives forward.
Slides | Recording