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Dear John,

Well, the moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. It’s Pumpkin Spice Season! Get your comfiest sweaters and get ready for autumn the right way. All jokes aside, we’re incredibly proud and excited to host Virtual VITACon [[link removed]] Sept. 28 – 30. You’re invited to join us as we tackle many of the challenges of pre-season planning, just before we dive headlong into another filing season. We’re excited to provide this opportunity for VITA programs, volunteers and stakeholders to connect with one another. It’s a chance for all of us to share best and model practices that have promise for scale and also learn about and advocate for policies that promote racial wealth equity. It is our hope that VITACon will spark ideas, that you will absorb information about effective practices and that you make key connections that will assure your success in the upcoming filing season. More details on VITACon and answers to some of your frequently asked questions are provided below.

We’re incredibly excited to see you in two short weeks!

Autumn-ly,

Rebecca M. Thompson, Interim Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Network Building

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

- Ryunosuke Satoro

Spotlight: Virtual VITACon Registration is Live!

Join TON and your VITA colleagues at our third VITACon [[link removed]] – this time in the virtual space! You’ll find the full VITACon agenda and what you can expect for the three-day tax extravaganza from the Sept. 28-30, on our registration page [[link removed]]. Take a moment to register for whichever sessions interest you. Given we’re in a virtual environment, why not invite your colleagues and partners to join in on the VITA fun? Each session will feature VITA practitioners, advocates and TON staff facilitating peer discussions, so we’d love to hear your voice and perspective.

Here are a few FAQs to help you as you register for VITACon:

1. Is there any cost?

Nope. VITACon is 100% no-cost, so we encourage you to register and invite any and all interested partners to join the festivities.

2. Is there a password to join each session?

Yes. The password for each session is vitacon21. Your session registration confirmation email will have the same password and information written in it as well.

3. How do I register for sessions?

On our registration page [[link removed]], you’ll see multiple links which will take you to the registration portal on Zoom. You’ll need to register for each session to give you the most flexibility to move throughout VITACon at your convenience. Once you register, you’ll receive the session link and password.

4. What are the agenda topics?

You’ll be able to see our agenda on the registration page [[link removed]], with short descriptions for each event.

5. What platform or requirements will I need?

We will be using Zoom throughout, so you’ll need to make sure you’re on a computer with the ability to join on Zoom. In addition, we’d recommend joining from a quiet space to facilitate sharing and peer discussions when we come to them.

6. Will this be recorded?

Yes. Each session will be recorded and distributed to attendees later.

Hopefully, that answers your VITACon questions. Please email our team at [[email protected]] if you have additional questions. Can’t wait to see you soon!

Updates from the Network

GetYourRefund.org Application is Live

Get involved with GetYourRefund.org. GetYourRefund is an IRS SPEC-approved virtual and drop-off tax preparation service built by Code for America and offered in partnership with VITA programs. Check out their page [[link removed]] to find out more and apply. The deadline is Nov. 30, 2021.

CTC Outreach Materials

Our friends at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) have shared their resources on the Child Tax Credit (CTC). Please check out their CTC outreach toolkit [[link removed]] which includes messaging, three partner social media toolkits and more. In addition, you will find out more about what to do about Custody and CTC [[link removed]] if the wrong parent or guardian has claimed the advance CTC payment.

GetYourRefund.org Volunteer Opportunity

GetYourRefund is looking for volunteers to mobilize a national effort for postseason filing. This effort, known as the National Tax Justice Service Team, needs your help. Join today by filling out the interest form [[link removed]]. Thank you for your help on this project. We’re excited to get started.

Help Wanted: TaxSlayer State Guide

GetYourRefund and Prosperity Now need your help to fill out a state tax guide. This quick guide [[link removed]] can provide valuable information for your state and others in TaxSlayer, which can be especially useful on those tricky out-of-state returns. If you need a frame of reference for completing your state’s section, you can use the existing Prosperity Now state income tax guide [[link removed]]. We thank you for your help on this effort.

CTC & 211.org

Our partners at United Way Worldwide announced the release of more information on the CTC on 211.org. You can visit it via the link [[link removed]]. You’ll be able to access high-level information items perfect for clients and other stakeholders.

TaxTimeHub.org

TaxTimeCrisis.org is now TaxTimeHub.org [[link removed]]. Check in to find messaging tools, takeaway messages and more on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and CTC. In addition, you’ll be able to use resources for both your organizations and partners as well as tax filers directly. You do not want to miss out.

Non-filer, Stimulus and CTC Outreach Resources from NDI

NDI’s Financial Resilience Center launched their page [[link removed]] to help guide tax filers around the Economic Impact Payments (EIP), CTC and non-filer status portals. This page can help you navigate these new challenges and provide solutions to your partners, clients and other VITA stakeholders.

MomsRising Resource Toolkit

MomsRising published a bilingual (English and Spanish) toolkit [[link removed]] surrounding the expansion of the CTC. The toolkit includes sample tweets, graphics, video links and more. To find out more about their efforts, you can follow the link [[link removed]] to their website.

CBPP Outreach Materials

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Get It Back Campaign has released a new Toolkit for Stimulus Check Outreach to Immigrant Families [[link removed]]. It features a media guide, talking points, sample social media posts, flyers, a radio PSA script, text message and email. The toolkit is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish and Vietnamese. The toolkit is for families with immigrants, but it also can be used through the remainder of the year to connect with harder-to-reach populations such as families with no or low incomes, families with a member who is incarcerated, people who lack secure housing, people without internet access and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) communities.

Knights of the Tax Roundtable

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

Non-filer Portal

The Treasury Department and the IRS have unveiled an online Non-filer Sign-up tool [[link removed]] designed to help eligible families who don’t normally file tax returns register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, which began on July 15. This tool is also designed to help eligible individuals who don’t normally file income tax returns register for the $1,400 third round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit for any amount of the first two rounds of EIP they may have missed.

Zip Code-level Data Now Available

The Treasury Department’s Office of Tax Analysis analyzed IRS data to identify where children who may be eligible to be claimed for the expanded and newly-advanceable CTC but who had not been claimed on a recent tax return are located. The data can be used to help organizations focus their outreach efforts seeking to sign up non-filers for monthly CTC payments. This zip code-level analysis is available here [[link removed]].

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

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

Question and Answer Session on Get Your Refund, Get CTC, and Virtual VITA [[link removed]]

Sept. 24 | 1 p.m. - 2:00p.m. ET

The CFPB’s Tax Time Savings Initiative will host a question-and-answer session for VITA programs interested in learning more about delivering virtual tax assistance and using Code for America’s Get CTC and Get Your Refund.  The session will focus on your practical questions about providing tax assistance remotely, encouraging saving with Virtual VITA, and promising practices related tools like Get Your Refund and Get CTC. The session is intended for those with experience delivering Virtual VITA, as well as those who want to learn more about it.

Savings Message Testing: Measuring the impact of your marketing and outreach [[link removed]]

Sept. 30 | 3 p.m.– 4 p.m. ET

Do you want to learn more about messaging tools and how you can leverage them for your marketing? A/B testing and focus groups are just a sample of what to expect during this conversation, so please join our friends at the CFPB as they share their favorite tips

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

Recent Webinars and Events

CTC Navigator Trainings [[link removed]]

In the first training, learn what resources are available, what support you can provide and go step-by-step through the Non-filer Portal and CTC Update Portal. In the second training, walk through the new GetCTC.org [[link removed]] Non-filer Tool and how to support people using it.

VITA Offseason Prep: Tax Law Updates [[link removed]]

This last filing season has been full of ups and downs, but TON is here to help sort out the tax law changes that will impact your VITA site going forward. This 90-minute webinar covered the tax law changes as they occurred, what you did to ensure quality returns and what you expect going forward. Our TON VITA field experts shared some of their thoughts and perspectives from their local sites.

Camp Prosperity [[link removed]]

Did you miss our advocacy bootcamp? Use these recordings to find out more about your organization’s advocacy readiness and how to bring your efforts to the forefront.

Mapping Influence: Understanding Who and How to Engage for ChangeSuccessful Allyship in Grassroots AdvocacyAdvocating for Equity-Centered Policies

The ARPA Opportunity Webinar [[link removed]]

This webinar hosted by our partners at Commonwealth tackles some of the opportunities to come from the American Rescue Plan Act. Topics covered include the role of FinTech, financial security and more.

Virtual Advocacy [[link removed]]

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]].

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 which 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 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.

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