From the Editor

Dear John,

In this month of thanks and turkey, the Taxpayer Opportunity Network will definitely not lead you a-fowl ahead of the upcoming filing season! We've got a lot of new resources and trainings for you as you gear up for the new year!

On November 14, the VITA-Train will pull out of the station for the second year! Join the launch webinar to be among the first to see the new version and have all of your questions answered!

In addition, leading all the way up until the filing season, you can join in the second year of our Enhanced Data Collection Project! The data collected through this project will help provide insights on the savings behaviors and financial well-being of VITA clients nationwide. This valuable, contextual data helps shape future projects for both TON and other VITA stakeholders so please sign up today! It's just a few clicks and we'll import the questions directly into the software which you'll then be able to integrate seamlessly into your tax prep process.

Thankful for your help and partnership throughout the year!
Rebecca M. Thompson
Project Director, Taxpayer Opportunity Network

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not but rejoices for those which he has."

- Epictetus

Spotlight: VITA-Train Pulls into the Station!

The Taxpayer Opportunity Network is proud to present our VITA training platform, affectionately dubbed the “VITA-Train,” for the second year. This 12-module training offers the same plug-and-play features as last year’s iteration. Complete with downloadable modules, YouTube videos, quizzes and our “Dear Iris” advice columns, the VITA-Train has all you need to get your volunteers ready to certify at the Basic certification level. We’re going to push out of the station with our launch webinar on November 14 so be sure to register for the webinar today!

Updates from the Network

The Tax_Roundtable is Moving!
Due to the impending shutdown of Yahoo Groups, the Tax_Roundtable listserv will be migrated to our new home on Groups.io. If you are a listserv member, you will receive a notice that we have moved!

Enhanced Data Collection Project Year 2
A 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!

New CFPB Report Released
The CFPB has released their new paper following their Tax Time Savings cohort of 75 VITA programs from 33 states and Washington DC. This paper covers the newest findings from the cohort and the types of tools, resources and training that are on the cutting edge of the tax time financial capability sphere.

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.

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.

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.

Latest Tax Prep Dispatch

What's New?
November 5, 2019

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

Learning Opportunities

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Don't Spin Your Wheels: VITA-Train Year 2 Launch
November 14 | 3pm ET

Choo-choo! The VITA-Train is coming around the corner! Join us on our latest launch webinar to be the first to know about the new VITA-Train!

Voter Filer Webinar
December 5 | 3 PM ET

Stay tuned during the month for more details!

Rideshare Taxes Training
November 7 | 3 PM

The Get It Back Campaign and CASH Campaign of Maryland created Roadmap to Rideshare Taxes, a comprehensive tax resource, to support this population. Join them on Thursday, November 7 at 3:00 PM ET (2PM CT/1PM MT/12 PM PT) for a training that will cover:

Ways to use this resource
Specific tools to assist drivers
Promotional materials that your VITA/TCE site can use

They’ll also answer any lingering tax questions you have.
This training features Francesca Jean-Baptiste, Director of Tax Partnerships at the CASH Campaign of Maryland.

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.