1. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Tax Preparer Training - Refresher
Welcome and thanks
2018 TAX SEASON (TY 2017)
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

2. PROGRAM REVIEW

3. Tax Preparation Methods
In-person
Valet VITA preparation – preparers may be asked to help with interview Overflow
TaxSlayer outages
Complicated returns
Free File (Self-preparation; remote or on-site)
Overflow
Out-of-scope returns

4. Other Services Available (see volunteer HANDBOOK)
Prepaid Debit Cards – on-site
A low-fee debit card for unbanked taxpayers who would like direct deposit of their refund
Provides an alternative to check cashing businesses
Can be used year-round
SaveYourRefund Program – on-site
An incentivized savings program
Taxpayers can win cash prizes if they elect to split at least $50 of their federal refund into a savings account

5. Other Services – saveyourrefund (see volunteer HANDBOOK)
Eligible taxpayers will:
Be over 18 years of age
Be eligible for a federal tax refund
Use Form 8888 to split refund
Save at least $50 into one of the following:
Purchase/enrollment can be completed at a VITA site
Savings Account
and CDs
IRA
Savings Bond
and Treasury Direct
Prepaid Card
myRA

6. No expenses totaling more than $25K No net loss No depreciation
Schedule C Reminders
No expenses totaling more than $25K
No net loss
No depreciation
No employees
No home office
No inventory
Cell phone eligible as business expense only if dedicated exclusively to business (i.e. client has second phone)
No vehicle expenses other than mileage
Meals not eligible

7. OOS Guidelines Reminder
Out of Scope (OOS) Guidelines strictly enforced
Violations jeopardize entire VITA program, including IRS funding
Quality Reviewer is required to report violation to Site Coordinator
Site Coordinator is required to report violation to UWTSA staff (Rachel)
Violation will result in one-time warning issued to Tax Preparer and/or Quality Reviewer
Repeated violations will result in termination, in order to protect the program
UWTSA staff is charged with monitoring all sites for OOS violations

8. Filing Deadline Increases April 17, 2018 Standard deduction EITC
What’s New: Taxes
Filing Deadline
April 17, 2018
Increases
Standard deduction
$12,700 MFJ/QW ( + $100)
$9,350 HH (+ $50)
$6,350 Single/MFS (+ 50)
EITC
Max. credit
Max. income
Savers Credit
Income limits have increased

9. Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act
What’s New: Taxes cont.
Standard Mileage Rate
53.5 cents/mile for business
17 cents/mile for medical
Education benefits
Income at which credits phase out have changed
Lifetime Learning Credit (+ $1,000)
Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act
Refunds with EITC/CTC delayed until late February

10. New for 2018 VITA SEASON:
UW VITA PROGRAM

11. TaxSlayer Enhancements
Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)
Change in Scope
Married Filing Separately now out of scope
Partnership with Common Cents Lab
Simple decision aid to be used at all sites – some exceptions apply
Ignore the typo on the handout!
Question in e-file section related to handout

12. REMINDERS & ENHANCEMENTS
taxslayer:
REMINDERS & ENHANCEMENTS

13. MOST COMMON ERRORS IN NEW SOFTWARE
Due Diligence questionnaire incorrect – wiped out EITC
Wrong return type
Form 2441 – not all sections completed

14. TAXSLAYER REMINDERS CONT.
Use the “Continue” button to save progress
Use the “Notes” feature
Be aware of collapsible forms – Ex: Form 2441
Try using direct entry instead of dropdown
Skip the leading zero when entering dates
Use Print Preview to view all forms and AGI (no AGI ticker)
Must mark returns as “Ready for Review” at end of preparation!

15. TAXSLAYER REMINDERS CONT.
Tons of training materials and resources in Practice Lab
TaxSlayer Support
or (800)
VITA Blog: vitablog.taxslayerpro.com – updates, instructions, and tips

16. TaxSlayer Enhancements
Multi Factor Authentication
Requires volunteer’s cell number and/or address
Triggers:
Passage of 7 days
“Forgot password”
Password entered incorrectly 4 times
More robust left panel menu
Able to view individual forms/schedules during preparation
State returns with Property Tax Credit can now be e-filed!
Due Diligence Checklist removed
Site-specific Carry Forward now active!
Universal Carry Forward – new consent form

18. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS

19. Thank you for your commitment to VITA & our community!