Hello John,

We are excited to share this first edition of the Tax Prep Digest, a weekly update from Prosperity Now that brings you the latest news from the IRS, TaxSlayer and our national network of Free Tax Prep Partners.

This Digest will also periodically be accompanied by the DelBene Dispatch, a publication that provides real-world examples and practical advice designed to improve the quality of income tax return preparation at VITA/AARP/TCE sites.

VITA/AARP/TCE Free Tax Prep Production as of 2/28/22

Federal Returns Accepted = 668,152
Federal Refunds Claimed = $992,685,455

The DelBene Dispatch

We are renaming the Tax Prep Dispatch in honor of Barbara DelBene, who was one of Prosperity Now and VITA’s most committed champions and a mentor to so many who are reading this now.

Make the Marketplaces Your Allies by Brad Martin, VITA Program Coordinator, United Way of Southwest Alabama

In this edition, Brad Martin walks us through one of the options tax preparers have when a taxpayer is missing their Form 1095-A: calling the Marketplace.

Updates From the Field

Prosperity Now

VITA Grantees who have not yet been funded should contact Graham O’Neill via email at [email protected]. We are aware that some organizations have completed all the grant requirements but are still waiting to be funded, and Prosperity Now wants to do everything possible to make sure those funds reach the communities that need them ASAP.

IRS/SPEC

SPEC Joint Web Session to be held on Tuesday, March 8th @ 1PM EST

Updates from Grant Program Office and TaxSlayer are on the agenda.

TaxSlayer

IRS Reject F8962-070 – Update

If you have a rejected Federal return at your site specific to missing Form 8962 or a binary statement not attached, you can now resubmit these returns electronically.

TaxSlayer Pro Online: What we know

A listing of all the technical issues that TaxSlayer is aware of. This is a good page to bookmark and check if you run into an issue in the software.

National Partners

Money In, Money Out: How Tax Time is Missing the Mark When it Comes to Wealth Building - Thursday, March 10 @ 1-2PM EST

Join SaverLife to explore how Tax Time is missing the mark on wealth building—and what we can co to change the system

Golden State Opportunity Messaging Research Briefing – Thursday, March 10 @ 2PM PT

GSO recently conducted research to improve understanding of what messaging best motivates low-income tax filers to file their taxes so that they can claim their EITC, Child Tax Credit, etc.