November update from the TON team

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Dear John,

To kick off this month’s Taxpayer Opportunity Network newsletter, we want to share some pearls of wisdom from our myriad of working groups! These working groups bring together TON members and experts to discuss specific affinity areas, create resources for the field, and provide valuable field-based perspectives to help TON reach our goals. If you want to join our working groups, please email us at [[email protected]].

From the Volunteer Management Working Group: “We’re splitting our volunteer sessions in two – those who want a more consistent schedule and those who want more flexibility in their timing and location. That way, we can sort clients into their preferred areas with those who want the consistent schedule getting first choice.”

From the Data Collection Working Group: “We gained a new, different demographic during the increased use of virtual services– we’re trying to make sure to keep these clients engaged for the next filing season as we transition back to our bread and butter in-person preparation.”

From the Tax Time Financial Capability Working Group: “Partner with organizations that deal with other elements of the household structure. Health is wealth and that includes both physical and mental health. In other words, take a whole household-style approach!”

From the Creative Service Delivery Working Group: “Be sure to capacity test all platforms. We need to make sure we are able to compensate for everyone we’re expecting.”

Spotlight

This month, we spoke with the new Director of IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education & Communication (SPEC), Tracey Walker-Carter [[link removed]]! As Director of IRS SPEC, Tracey oversees the entirety of the VITA/TCE program administration. During this conversation, we covered her goals for IRS SPEC this filing season, advice for all programs, and a bit more about Tracey’s history in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. You do not want to miss out on this conversation [[link removed]]!

Read More [[link removed]] Updates from the Network

VITA-Train Coming Soon!

The VITA-Train [[link removed]] is swinging around the bend! After a lot of hard work from your VITA peers, the VITA-Train is getting ready to roll out of the station. The VITA-Train is a modular training to guide VITA volunteers through the tax law elements on both the Basic and Advanced level certification. This tool is perfect for programs looking to add a supplement to their existing training!

Before we celebrate the launch of the new VITA-Train, please join the VITA-Train webinar on November 16 at 1 PM ET [[link removed]] to learn more about the VITA-Train and how you can incorporate it into your program. This year’s VITA-Train promises to have more surprises so please join us to find out more!

Reduce Paper Waste

From our friends at IRS SPEC:

As we get prepared for the filing season, please place orders for your printed materials but avoid over-ordering! Consider consolidating your orders to be based on site numbers, rather than expected volunteer totals. We want to make sure each printed product is being used!

The IRS is Hiring!

The IRS is looking to fill 700 newly created positions nationwide to provide taxpayer assistance. These positions range from face-to-face representatives to compliance positions. If you want to find out more information on hiring, please attend their hiring information session [[link removed]] on November 17 at 1 PM ET. You can also find out more on USA Jobs [[link removed]] and the IRS Careers page [[link removed]].

Tools and Information for the FieldResources from the Network

DelBene Tax Prep Dispatch

How VITA sites can increase their VITA Grant totals and help families using GetCTC referrals [[link removed]]

Courtney O'Reilly, Sr. Program Manager, Tax Benefits, Code for America

Julia Beebe, Outreach Coordinator, Coalition on Human Needs

Read the latest DelBene Tax Prep Dispatch to find out how to count accepted GetCTC clients for VITA grant reporting purposes! Click the link above to learn more about this unique opportunity!

Virtual Advocacy Toolkit| Prosperity Now

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]].

TON Tips and Tricks Form

Got a great idea? Share it with us using the TON Tips and Tricks form [[link removed]]. This short form can help us share your idea with our peers in the VITA field at large. These tips can be big or small on topics ranging from volunteer management to quality review. We’re excited to hear from you!

Resources from IRS/SPEC and TaxSlayer

IRS SPEC Partner Webcast Schedule

Click here [[link removed]] to get the full 2022 schedule for IRS SPEC Partner Webcasts to ensure that you stay up to date on the latest news and resources from IRS SPEC.

TaxSlayer Support Information

Phone: 1-800-421-634

Email: [[email protected]]

Blog: Be sure to check out the TaxSlayer VITA/TCE Blog [[link removed]] for important software updates.

TaxSlayer Suggestion Box [[link removed]]

Share your thoughts or ideas on how TaxSlayer could be improved using the VITA/TCE [[link removed]] Suggestion Box [[link removed]]. Your feedback is needed for both federal and state returns, as well as reporting.

Learning

OpportunitiesUpcoming Events

VITA-Train Webinar [[link removed]] | November 16, 1 – 2 PM ET

Choo-choo! All aboard VITA-Train 2022! We’re gearing up for another filing season. To kick off VITA-Train 2022, we’ll be hosting a webinar on November 16, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Come and bring a friend along for the ride!

Community Free Tax Prep - Job Opportunities

· Associate [[link removed]] Director of Network Building [[link removed]] | Prosperity Now

· Special Tax Programs Manager [[link removed]] | Prepare + Prosper

· VITA Operations Manager [[link removed]] | United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades

1200 G Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC xxxxxx

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