TAP 2010 Getting Started Legal Aid of North Carolina Willette M. Crews, Presenter November 20, 2009

Welcome to TAP Season 2010 Thank you for helping families save money and take control of their finances in TY2008.

Getting Started TY2009 TAP Differences Design Models Season Schedule Action Items Prep Steps to Season

2008 Summary - What We Learned Training and Practice Critical Access in Rural Areas Still an Issue Local offices need more community partners College volunteers valuable resources Local partnerships enhance project

TY2009 Changes - Design Most sites will use Beehive software Staff participation encouraged but not mandatory All training via Internet except for community partners Advanced certification needed at all sites to deal with cancellation of debt issues

TY2009 Changes - IRS Site Coordinators and Quality Reviewers must certify at Intermediate or above Verification of test results required before volunteer can work as preparer Changes in hours require change to and submission to SPEC Listing of VITA sites will be on IRS website IRS has added Partner Page to its site

TY2009 Changes – Target Areas Increase focus on remote communities Use networking to leverage resources Non-filers Domestic Violence victims Disabled taxpayers

TY2009 Changes - Design Models Daily Preparation During Business Hours Weekly Event Days/Nights Scheduled Remote Events Combination of Options

Design Model – Event Days/Nights Weekly preparation days Weekly preparation nights

Design Model - Daily Availability Walk-ins By Appointment

Design Model - Remote Events DV Shelters Homeless Shelters Housing Communities Community Agencies Churches Other Places

TY2009 Changes - Internet Use Online training to conserve resources. Use GoToMeeting (G2M) to facilitate coordination of project among all sites.

TY Regional Approach Identify common community partnerships Share burden of administrative tasks Facilitate coordination of remote events

Regional Approach – West Boone/N. Wilkesboro Morganton Sylva Concord Charlotte

Regional Approach – Triad Winston-Salem Greensboro

Regional Approach – Central Pittsboro Durham Raleigh Wake Forest Benson (Farmworkers) Smithfield

Regional Approach – Southeast Fayetteville Pembroke Wilmington

Regional Approach – East Ahoskie Enfield Wilson Goldsboro Rocky Mount Columbia Hyde County Plymouth Williamston New Bern Kinston

Community Partners North Carolina Clients Council Greater Kinston Credit Union Martin County CDC Tyrrell County CDC Samaritan’s Ministry Farmworkers Group WEB DuBois CDC

North Carolina Clients Council North Wilkesboro (Samaritan’s Ministry) Rocky Mount Goldsboro Kinston (GKCU) New Bern (assisting local site) Fayetteville (assisting local site) Columbia Hyde County Plymouth

Action Items - Outreach Get the word out using flyers and coupons Flyers/posters will go out to churches & agencies Place posters and coupons in your intake areas and remote locations

Action Items – Non-filers Look for taxpayers who have not filed in several years IRS will only give refunds retroactively for 3 years EITC may still be available to some non-filers

TY2009 – Software Changes Changes Made to Taxwise ARRA Impacts Beehive Options

September and October Activities ARRA Flyers and Posters distributed Community Partner Development Training of NCCC volunteers Updates & changes to webpage Begin materials distribution

Schedule - November November 16 Link & Learn Training Lab Back Online November 15Distribution of Coupons & Flyers continues November 20Process-Based Training online November 30Completion of Site Coordinator, ARRA and C Training November 30December Flyer Distribution begins

Schedule – December & January December 15Beehive Training December 15 Local Site Coordinators Tax-Law Certified December 30Preparers Certified January 7Coordinators Training II E-filing & Reports January 15Return preparation begins

TY2009 – Prep Steps Define local design Complete IRS Form (IRS Civil Rights Compliance) Complete IRS Form (Sponsor Agreement) Recruit Preparers

Next Steps – Define Local Design Create local design using options described Identify concerns and/or assistance needed to facilitate

Next Steps – Complete IRS Forms Submit Local Design (days & hours) (due immediately on IRS Form 13715) Complete IRS Form (IRS Civil Rights Compliance) Complete IRS Form (Sponsor Agreement)

Next Steps – IRS Training American Recovery and Reinvestment Act C Intake and Interview/Quality Reviewer Training Site Coordinator Training VITA/TCE Certification Test at Intermediate Level (minimum)

Next Steps – Recruit Preparers Start with Staff Contact 2008 Preparers Seek new preparers Schools, clients, other volunteers

Thank You If I have not spoken with you personally, please send me an to let me know when you are available and I will call you. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome. Please call me or send me an .

Contact Information Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns: Willette Crews (919) x434 (919) (mobile)