Mayor’s Leadership Academy September 2011 Boston, Massachusetts

Upcoming Changes in VITA and Tax Landscapes Program Sustainability

Increase Confidence in Program Driver: Accuracy of Returns Expand Utilization of Intake/Interview and Quality Review Processes Strengthen Ethical Standards Revisit VITA/TCE Scope Complete Shopping Reviews

Increase Confidence in Program Intake/Interview Process Number of ReturnsAccuracy Rate Number of Completed Form 13614C TaxWise Intake/Interview Sections 978% Number of Completed Form 13614C Intake/Interview Sections 52588% Completed Approved Partner Created Forms 9100% Number of Incomplete Forms 13614C TaxWise Intake/interview Sections 10% Number of Incomplete Form 13614C Intake/interview Sections 17185% Incomplete Unapproved Partner Created Forms 650% No Intake Sheet Used 367% Total Reviews 72487% Intake/Interview Process Usage

Increase Confidence in Program Quality Review Process Number of Returns Accuracy Rate Number of Completed Forms 13614C, Quality Review Section56691% Number of Complete Forms % Partner Approved Review Forms6100% Number of Incomplete Forms 13614C, Quality Review Section9077% Unapproved Form580% Number of Completed Unapproved Quality Review Processes425% No Quality Review Sheet/Process Used4470% Total Reviews72487% Quality Review Process Uptake

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers Driver: 19 Million Eligible for Services Maximize Utilization of Resources Explore Alternative Methods for Completing Free Tax Returns Expand Collaborative Efforts Nationally and Locally To Find New Opportunities to Serve

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers Total Returns Total AARP Returns AARP % of Total Returns 20093,030,2471,498, % 20103,077,0681,522, % 20113,162,4831,536, %

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers FAST – Free Assisted Self-Service Tax Preparation Designed to work “kiosk style” Taxpayers prepare their own returns –Trained volunteers available to assist –Volunteers must be certified at basic or above FAST sites can be: –Stand alone sites –“Added Service” at existing sites Taxpayer’s utilize free online software provided by members of the Free File Alliance –H&R Block –Intuit (Turbo Tax) –Tax Slayer

Resource Optimization Driver: Budgetary Constraints Resources Declining Expand Efficient Use of Resources –Products/Materials Goal – Transition to Electronic Resources –SPEC Internal Efficiencies –Enhance Effectiveness of Electronic Products –Identify Early Adapters –Promote Best Practices

Resource Optimization Product Transition Example –Publication 4491Training Kit Publication 4491 (Paper) Publication 4491-W (Paper) Publication 4012 Publication 6744 – Test (Paper) –Publication 4480, Link & Learn Taxes Kit Publication 4491-W (Paper) Publication 4012 (Paper) Publication 6744 – Test (Paper) CD w/Pub 4491, 4491-W, 4012, 6744 –Stand Alone Products CD w/Pub 4491, 4491-W, 4012, 6744 No 4012 or 6744 This Year