1. Mayor’s Leadership Academy September 2011 Boston, Massachusetts Top 10 Tips for 2012

2. Tips for 2012 – Number 10 Promote the Benefits of Purchasing Savings Bonds with Tax Refund Access Through Form 8888 Can Split a Refund Into an Existing Bank Account or Receive Remainder of Refund in Paper Check Great Entry Point for “First Time” Savers

3. Tips for 2012 – Number 9 Consider Offering “FAST” Services in Your Community Free Assisted Self-Service Tax Preparation Services Taxpayer Completes Returns With Assistance From Trained Volunteer Did You Know? VITA/TCE Serves Close to 70% Single Taxpayers

4. Tips for 2012 – Number 8 Emphasize to All Your Partners The Critical Need to Capture Data Data Is Key To All Funders Data Helps Highlight Gaps, Barriers and Challenges Data Will Help Us Serve More Individuals with Disabilities

5. Tips for 2012 – Number 7 SPEC Offers a “Little” Help to Our Friends This Tax Season Form 8879 Retention Requirement Has Been Removed TaxWise Password Reset Process Has Been Automated Linked and Unlinked Returns Options Have Been Restored

6. Tips for 2012 – Number 6 Utilize TaxWise Training Opportunities To Make Sites More Efficient TaxWise Offers Over 50 Training Topics for Desktop and Online Products Lessons Average 8 Minute Per Topic Better Training Might Stop the Over 63,000 Calls Free Tax Volunteers Made Last Year Might Make Volunteers Happier to NOT Have to Call!!

7. Tips for 2012 – Number 5 Increase Accurate Returns at Your Site – Complete A Thorough Quality Review of Each Tax Return No One is Perfect! Only Takes a Few Minutes But Might Save Taxpayer’s Hours of Frustration Further Down the Road!!

8. Tips for 2012 – Number 4 Increase Accurate Returns at Your Site – Complete An In-Depth Intake and Interview Process on Every Return Taxpayer Knows All the Answers – But You Have to Ask! Might Help Clients Get Bigger Refunds!!

9. Tips for 2012 – Number 3 Expand Resources In Most Effective and Efficient Manner Long Term Program Sustainability Requires Optimization of Available Resources Transition to Electronic Products and Electronic Training Options Where Feasible

10. Tips for 2012 – Number 2 Increase Confidence In Free Tax Preparation Program Accuracy is Key For All Parties – IRS, Partners and Especially Taxpayers In Challenging Economic and Budget Times, Increased Confidence Will Translate to Increased Funding Insure Highest Ethical Standards are Followed By All Participants

11. Tips for 2012 – Number 1 Expand Ability to Serve More Taxpayer’s at Free Tax Preparation Sites 19 Million Low to Moderate Income Taxpayers Are Interested in Free Tax Preparation Services 3 Million Taxpayers Have Been Served Over Past Several Years Identify Innovative Methods For Serving More Taxpayers