1 / 22

AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM

4491-01 Course Introduction v0.8 VO.ppt. AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM. Welcome & Introductions. LEVEL 2 TOPIC. INTRODUCTIONS. Name Employment (previous, if retired) Why in Tax-Aide Program? How long? What position in program?. BASICS. Class schedule – guideline only Breaks Restrooms Parking.

nowles
Download Presentation

AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. 4491-01 Course Introduction v0.8 VO.ppt AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM Welcome & Introductions LEVEL 2 TOPIC DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  2. INTRODUCTIONS • Name • Employment (previous, if retired) • Why in Tax-Aide Program? • How long? What position in program? DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  3. BASICS • Class schedule – guideline only • Breaks • Restrooms • Parking DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  4. EXPECTATIONS FORINSTRUCTORS • Provide atmosphere for learning • Start and stop on time • Provide breaks as needed • Answer questions • (will keep a list to answer later if needed) DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  5. EXPECTATIONS FOR COUNSELORS • Follow directions (don’t jump ahead) • Be positive (not disruptive) in a learning environment • Ask questions • Complete assignments • Hand in test by mid-January DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  6. Purpose Of This Training • To build an excellent understanding of: • The AARP Tax-Aide program • Your resources (references, help, how to find answers, Can Do list, etc.) • How to prepare accurate tax returns • IRS provided software and e-filing • The Quality Review Process • Training, Certification, and Proficiency process DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  7. AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM • Nationwide non-profit program administered by AARP Foundation • Help low-to-mid income taxpayers with special attention to age 60+ • No age or income restrictions • AARP membership not relevant for volunteers or clients • Free confidential service • Committed to high-quality service • Answer tax questions/prepare returns • Funding from AARP and IRS DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  8. PERFORMANCE • 1.5 million returns (paper + e-file accepted) • 1.43 million accepted e-files (95.2% rate) • $233 million in EIC refunds • 76% taxpayers are 60 or older • Nearly 6,500 sites • Over 32,500 volunteers DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  9. VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES • Sign Volunteer Agreement (Volunteer Standards); instructors certifies at bottom • Need proof of certification at site • Site coordinator maintains list • Volunteer Agreement with certification or • Form 13645, Wallet Card • Understand return is TP’s responsibility DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  10. RESPONSIBILITIES, cont’d • Protect confidentiality and security • Use resources, CyberTax, 800-TAX-VITA • Do not retain any data other than required 8879s, 8453s and attachments • Including TP documents and/or electronic versions • Do not accept any compensation • Record ALL activity at site every shift DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  11. SITE REQUIREMENTS • Post anti-discrimination poster (AARP D143) • Store equipment in secure environment • Keep eyes on laptops and forms at sites • Call DC, police and AARP number on back of volunteer badge if computer stolen • Exit TaxWise® and encryption if neither you nor another counselor will be in area • Never post passwords on/near computer DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  12. Quality Review • 100% independent quality review • This means a second set of (counselor) eyes • This means no single counselor Sites • Site Coordinator has responsibility for implementation • IRS & AARP SMT will perform reviews on sample basis: • Site Review • Tax Return Review • Use QR section of IRS Intake Sheet DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  13. REIMBURSEMENT • Flat-rate reimbursement of $35 or • Parking/mileage (50¢/mi for 2010) • Need specific dates/locations • Need purpose • Covers training classes • Covers counseling, January to April 20 • Expense report submitted to LC or DC at end of season DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  14. INSURANCE COVERAGE • Travel accident insurance coverage if on Tax-Aide business • Medical Only • Not Car, Personal property, etc. • Supplemental secondary only • Your existing medical insurance is primary • Notify District Coordinator ASAP DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  15. VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997 • Certified volunteers not liable if: • Received IRS/AARP training • Harm not willful • Acting within scope of training • Following AARP policies and procedures DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  16. CERTIFICATION • Four-part certification for counselors • Pass Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Test (score 80% on each)‏ • Show competency in use of TaxWise software (complete four problems in class)‏ • No certification needed for non-counselors (phone, reception, translators, etc.) DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  17. Training Resources • District Provided • Instructor-Lead Classes • Coaches / Mentors • Walk-in Workshops • IRS Link & Learn • NYTaxAide.org • Training page – including Standard Presentations (with Voice-Over Narration) • IRS Books • Pub 4491 – Training Guide • Pub 4491-W – Problems and Exercises • Pub 4012 – Volunteer Resource Guide • Form 6744 – Volunteer Assistor’s Test/Retest • Basic + Intermediate + Advanced levels • IGNORE Military, International, etc. DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  18. LINK & LEARN • On-line federal tax law training on IRS web site - includes exercises (www.irs.gov/app/vita) • Click on Advanced tab to begin. • Basic and Intermediate courses are a subset of the Advanced course • Ignore Military, International, Puerto Rico, Foreign Student courses • Abbreviated “What’s New” course for returning volunteers • Does NOT include New Jersey tax law • Practice Lab – special online version of TaxWise • TWO/Training STRONGLY preferred • Online Certification Tests (linklearn.webtechteam.com) • New volunteers must use paper test. DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  19. LINK & LEARN SPECIAL CERTIFICATION • Two OPTIONAL subjects require on-line training and certification • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) • Cancellation of Debt (COD) • On-line Advanced certification is required before taking the HSA and COD online training and tests DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  20. LINK & LEARN VIEW DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  21. Counselor Certification Requirements • STEP 1 – Pass the IRS test with 80% for each segment (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced). • STEP 2 - Proficiency • Three scenarios (Moore, Fleming, Sterling) from Pub 4491-W (federal only) • Plus one NJ complete return (Jones) • Must be completed and reviewed by second Counselor • STEP 3 – Sign the Volunteer Standards of Conduct • Note: Must use 2010 Law and Software DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  22. Preparer Resources • IRS Documents • Publication 4012 – Volunteer Resource Guide (VRG) • Publication 17 – Your Federal Income Tax (later) • Form 1040 Instructions (later) • … plus many other specialized IRS documents • In Scope/Out of Scope Chart • Interview and Intake Sheet • TaxWise Help • And best of all… Your Site Coordinator and fellow volunteers! DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

More Related