VITA Milpitas Community Library Site 2006 Annual Report Shahid Mujtaba, PhD Site Coordinator May 2, 2006
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program VITA is a nation-wide program of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide help to low-income, limited English speaking, elderly, and disabled taxpayers prepare and file their taxes at no charge Service is provided by IRS-trained volunteer Tax preparers at public places such as Churches, Libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, etc VITA Milpitas Community Library is one of these sites. It is located at the Milpitas Community Library and has been providing service for more than 15 years
Comparison of 2005 and 2006 Seasons
2005 – 2006 Site Financial Impact 2005** (2004 Tax Yr) 2006* (2005 Tax Yr) Total AGI/Returns$3.8m/161 Unemployment Income/Returns$80k/24 Refunds/Returns$152k/126 Tax Due/Returns$29k/32 Earned Income Credit/Returns$50k/62$55k/47 Child Tax Credit/Returns$36k/43$35k/25 Educational Credit/Returns$1k/10 Savers Credit/Returns$4k/13 * Based on Accepted IRS E-Filed Returns by April 17, 2006 ** Based on Paper and E-filed Returns for 2004 Tax Year
2005 Return Distribution by Map of TaxPayer City
2005 E-filed IRS Returns by City 68 returns or 42% from Milpitas 52 returns or 32% from San Jose More than 75% from Santa Clara County Clients from as far away as San Francisco, Tracy, Morgan Hill, and through our roving Tax Preparer, Pomona
2005 Returns Created and Accepted by Week Creation Week Number of Returns Accepted by Week
2005 Return Turnaround Time in Days Days from E-File Return Creation to Acceptance by IRS Number of Returns
Cumulative % of accepted E-File Returns by Create – to – Accepted number of Days Days from Creation to Acceptance of E-file Returns Avg = 2.5 days
2005 Outstanding Returns by Date
2005 Returns filed at VITA Milpitas Community Library
Need g cards, wireless routers, and on site internet connection for next year As shown in 2005
R&D/IT 2 Transmitters Multiple Transmitters Need Digital Projector, Scanner, Printer, PDA, Tablet PC, on-site internet connection next year
2006 Major Accomplishments R&D/IT Dept experimenting with new technology Fully wireless LAN More productive with fewer volunteers and sessions, due to: –Willingness of energetic volunteers to learn –Familiarity of tax preparers with tax concepts –Newer faster more reliable IRS loaned computers –Networked printers Tools for site management
2007 objectives Internet connection at site Digital projector showing current services, FAQ, and capabilities of site to waiting taxpayers Digital Scanner for keeping and managing records electronically Tablet PC and PDA/Pocket PC for interviews Target: –10 Volunteer Tax Preparers, 1 Volunteer IT Consultant, 1 Volunteer Coordinator, –7 Volunteer Tax Preparers present each week –250 E-filed returns –75% created and accepted same day –average created to accepted = 1.5 days –Maximum created to accepted = 1 week –0 E-File rejects due to inconsistencies with SSN info Pre-Season Training on TaxWise / Transmitting
Acknowledgements Thanks to volunteers for enthusiasm, dedication and willingness to help others Thanks to Milpitas Community Library for hosting, publicizing our services, and being our off-hours presence and contact point Thanks to Mayor, City Council, City of Milpitas for recognizing selfless dedication of volunteers and support for wireless components and supplies Thanks to unrecognized family members whose sacrifice allow volunteers to help taxpayers
An Appeal VITA always needs volunteers For chaotic, high-energy, challenging, fun, productive learning volunteer experience preparing taxes or supporting IT Infrastructure, join the VITA Milpitas Community Library Site See