CA-2 State Webinar October 19, 2017 Tax Year 2017 Susan Millsap CA-2 State Coordinator

Agenda September 28, 2017 Web Postings SMT Members Regional Meeting Breakout District Input to topics for Monday and/or Tuesday State Meetings

CA2 Web September 28 Meeting Material Link to Portal Guide with changes- provided by Bob Francis New 2017-2018 Policy and Procedures Manual October 19 Regional Meeting presentations by National Team

CA-2 State Webinar October 19, 2017 Tax Year 2017 Suvarna Joglekar CA-2 Administration Specialist

CA-2 State Webinar October 19, 2017 Tax Year 2017 Edison Paw CA2 Technology Specialist

CA-2 State Webinar October 19, 2017 Tax Year 2017 Ashok Desai CA2 Prospective Volunteer Specialist

Regional Breakout-Jerry’s observations During Site Visits Almost Always Little to absolutely no use of 13614-C Not asking about additional income Not looking for Scope issues before starting return Frequently Not empathetically engaging with Taxpayer Long waits for service Not going over return with Taxpayer Not emphasizing return is Taxpayer responsibility Not looking at prior year return for possible missing items Occasionally Taxpayer not present during QR Demanding original Social security card No wrap up – emphasizing action  

High Income Taxpayers What should we do about high income taxpayers? Letter to be prepared and signed by SC   And what is “high income” More dependent on Scope and complexity Complete return and give letter

Possible Letter to High Income Taxpayers Dear Taxpayer, We’re happy that you have had the opportunity today to have your taxes prepared by the volunteers of AARP Tax-Aide. As you probably know, Tax-Aide’s mission is to provide high quality free income tax preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. The average income of those we serve in this area is approximately $29,000. While we don’t have an income cap, there are many low income seniors in this area that we must turn away because we simply do not have enough volunteers to meet the demand. We have noticed that your income is substantially above our average, and it is likely that you have the resources to afford a paid preparer. While we will welcome you back next year, we do ask that you consider the needs of those that cannot afford paid preparation and, if your income remains at this level, to consider using a paid preparer instead so that space can be freed up to accommodate others. Thank you

Shut-ins What should we do about shut- ins? Jerry will cover at meeting but we all agreed it is not a good idea for the reasons we discussed before.

Walk-Ins Walk-ins are more efficient than appointments, but also force elderly (and other) taxpayers to wait a long time.  Should we go to an appointment system?  And is it fair to open appointments the first day of the tax season, so they can be all taken by the first week?

Regional Website How should our Region share information? Intended audience the SCs and Regional Team

Video Library I really like the idea of building a library of training videos on topics like taxpayer interviewing.  Would be 10-15 Minutes Al Brill is friends with a recording studio Agreed that would be good. Jerry will expand on this.

Foreign Accounts Do we see enough taxpayers with foreign accounts that we need to check?  Or would we not know? Main worry is we don’t actually ask the right questions on this

Computers Each Split State should receive approximately 30 of the new computers Will be replacements Priority those computers that are not Windows 10 compatible Were used last season

Program Funding IRS Grants-60% AARP Foundation-remainder Donated Funds-$14K $6K CA2 to date Use for advertising and recognition

Regional Coordinator Pacific Region Regional (R10) Decisions-Jerry will expand at meeting Public wifi WISP routers File / Printer Sharing – vs wireless printing - OK Windows 10 – try to accelerate upgrade this year Taxpayers with Foreign accounts over $10k Amendments Complete Tax return must go with any 8879 that leaves site May say “DRAFT”

Pacific Region Regional (R10) 2017 Goals Build Confidence in TaxSlayer Leader succession Volunteer retention / satisfaction Build bridges with VITA and local agencies Build recruiting pipeline with National organizations and IRS Weekend and evening sites

SMT Vacancies TRS position is still vacant PCS position is still vacant DC Humboldt-Del Norte DC Solano DC Lake-under Mendocino now

CA2 Goals for 2017-2018 Please send me your ideas on what these should be. We will discuss during next weeks meeting.

CA-2 State Webinar September 28, 2017 District Coordinators

CA2 Status and Meetings Staffing for Next Season How is it going State Meeting October 23 TC Meeting October 24 Next Webinar October 26 Recap of State Meeting