HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRIOR GENERAL MEETING

 Main Audience:  College students  Graduate Students  Residents of IV  Low to Middle Income Bracket  Fee tax services to those who earn $50,000 or less  W-2s TAX SERVICES

1.SHOULD I FILE EVEN IF I AM NOT REQUIRED TO? ANSWER: YES!  SINGLE INDIVIDUALS: REQUIRED TO FILE IF EARN $9,500+  MOST STUDENTS EARN LESS THAN THIS.  WHY FILE?  TAX AUTOMATICALLY WITHHELD FROM W-2S  MANY TIMES, YOU PAY THE GOVT MORE THAN YOU OWE  MOST LIKELY, CAN RECEIVE TAX REFUND FROM STATE WITHHOLDINGS ON W-2. IMPORTANT TAX SITE QUESTIONS

 Start: Feb 3, 2012  Day: Every Sunday  Time: 1-5 PM  Location: SRB 1 st Floor Computer Lab UCSB VITA TAX SITE

VITA CERTIFICATION

 Create an account  Organizations-VITA  Fill out your information   LINK & LEARN:  VITA Certification  onlyhttp://apps.irs.gov/app/vita/04_student.jsp?level=basic  TAXWISE:  To prepare actual returns. CERTIFICATION: LINK & LEARN

 nUrl=/training/ nUrl=/training/  Youtube Video Youtube Video  Client ID:  Username: Use your school name  Ex:  Taxwise Username: jtong  Password is your username the first time you log in  Change password  Always use GREEN background for training mode!!!!!! TAX WISE

 1. How much time does it take to complete the test?  Answer: Depends on the person’s training and experience.  Basic: 45 minutes  Intermediate: 1 hour  Advanced: 45 minutes  2. What if I am unable to complete an online test in one session?  Answer: The online system will bookmark where you stop in an online test. When you log back into the online test it will show “in progress” for the test you were taking. Just click on that link to continue with the test.  3. What if I need to change an answer on the online test?  Answer: There is the “back” button so you can change your answer to a question. At the end of the test there will be a message display of answers and any questions that have not been answered. You will need to complete all questions and then hit the submit key.  Q&A above obtained from Source: LINK & LEARN FAQ

 4. What documentation can I obtain if I certify through the online test with Link & Learn Taxes?  Answer: Once you successfully complete a test you can print a course certificate.  5. Is the Volunteer Agreement available in the online test?  Answer: Yes, the Volunteer Agreement is available. Once you successfully complete a test online you can print or save a copy of your Volunteer Agreement. There is a link on the test home page in the upper right hand corner of the screen.  6. What is the passing score for certification?  Answer: The passing score for the test for each course is 80%.  Q&A above obtained from Source: LINK & LEARN FAQ

 All Volunteer Tax Preparers must pass 2 tests:  1. Basic certification test*  2. Volunteer Standards of Conduct test*  *A minimum score of 80% is required for each certification test. REQUIREMENTS TO VOLUNTEER

 Length: 5 Questions  Content: Do’s and Don’ts of volunteers and the volunteer site  Pass: 80% Correct  4 out of 5 questions correct TEST 1: VOLUNTEER STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

 Length: 30 Questions  Content: Individual & family tax laws  Pass: 80% Correct  24 out of 30 questions correct *REQUIRED FOR ALL TAX PREPARATION VOLUNTEERS! TEST 2: BASIC TEST*

 Sample Scenario: TEST 2: BASIC TEST*

VITA CERTIFICATION PATH