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AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM

4491-01 Course Introduction v0.8 VO.ppt. AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM. Welcome & Introductions. LEVEL 2 TOPIC. INTRODUCTIONS. Name Employment (previous, if retired) Why in Tax-Aide Program? How long? What position in program?. BASICS. Class schedule – guideline only Breaks Restrooms Parking.

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AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM

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  1. 4491-01 Course Introduction v0.8 VO.ppt AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM Welcome & Introductions LEVEL 2 TOPIC DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  2. INTRODUCTIONS • Name • Employment (previous, if retired) • Why in Tax-Aide Program? • How long? What position in program? DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  3. BASICS • Class schedule – guideline only • Breaks • Restrooms • Parking DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  4. EXPECTATIONS FORINSTRUCTORS • Provide atmosphere for learning • Start and stop on time • Provide breaks as needed • Answer questions • (will keep a list to answer later if needed) DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  5. EXPECTATIONS FOR COUNSELORS • Follow directions (don’t jump ahead) • Be positive (not disruptive) in a learning environment • Ask questions • Complete assignments • Hand in test by mid-January DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  6. Purpose Of This Training • To build an excellent understanding of: • The AARP Tax-Aide program • Your resources (references, help, how to find answers, Can Do list, etc.) • How to prepare accurate tax returns • IRS provided software and e-filing • The Quality Review Process • Training, Certification, and Proficiency process DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  7. AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM • Nationwide non-profit program administered by AARP Foundation • Help low-to-mid income taxpayers with special attention to age 60+ • No age or income restrictions • AARP membership not relevant for volunteers or clients • Free confidential service • Committed to high-quality service • Answer tax questions/prepare returns • Funding from AARP and IRS DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  8. PERFORMANCE • 1.5 million returns (paper + e-file accepted) • 1.43 million accepted e-files (95.2% rate) • $233 million in EIC refunds • 76% taxpayers are 60 or older • Nearly 6,500 sites • Over 32,500 volunteers DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  9. VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES • Sign Volunteer Agreement (Volunteer Standards); instructors certifies at bottom • Need proof of certification at site • Site coordinator maintains list • Volunteer Agreement with certification or • Form 13645, Wallet Card • Understand return is TP’s responsibility DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  10. RESPONSIBILITIES, cont’d • Protect confidentiality and security • Use resources, CyberTax, 800-TAX-VITA • Do not retain any data other than required 8879s, 8453s and attachments • Including TP documents and/or electronic versions • Do not accept any compensation • Record ALL activity at site every shift DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  11. SITE REQUIREMENTS • Post anti-discrimination poster (AARP D143) • Store equipment in secure environment • Keep eyes on laptops and forms at sites • Call DC, police and AARP number on back of volunteer badge if computer stolen • Exit TaxWise® and encryption if neither you nor another counselor will be in area • Never post passwords on/near computer DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  12. Quality Review • 100% independent quality review • This means a second set of (counselor) eyes • This means no single counselor Sites • Site Coordinator has responsibility for implementation • IRS & AARP SMT will perform reviews on sample basis: • Site Review • Tax Return Review • Use QR section of IRS Intake Sheet DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  13. REIMBURSEMENT • Flat-rate reimbursement of $35 or • Parking/mileage (50¢/mi for 2010) • Need specific dates/locations • Need purpose • Covers training classes • Covers counseling, January to April 20 • Expense report submitted to LC or DC at end of season DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  14. INSURANCE COVERAGE • Travel accident insurance coverage if on Tax-Aide business • Medical Only • Not Car, Personal property, etc. • Supplemental secondary only • Your existing medical insurance is primary • Notify District Coordinator ASAP DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  15. VOLUNTEER PROTECTION ACT OF 1997 • Certified volunteers not liable if: • Received IRS/AARP training • Harm not willful • Acting within scope of training • Following AARP policies and procedures DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  16. CERTIFICATION • Four-part certification for counselors • Pass Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Test (score 80% on each)‏ • Show competency in use of TaxWise software (complete four problems in class)‏ • No certification needed for non-counselors (phone, reception, translators, etc.) DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  17. Training Resources • District Provided • Instructor-Lead Classes • Coaches / Mentors • Walk-in Workshops • IRS Link & Learn • NYTaxAide.org • Training page – including Standard Presentations (with Voice-Over Narration) • IRS Books • Pub 4491 – Training Guide • Pub 4491-W – Problems and Exercises • Pub 4012 – Volunteer Resource Guide • Form 6744 – Volunteer Assistor’s Test/Retest • Basic + Intermediate + Advanced levels • IGNORE Military, International, etc. DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  18. LINK & LEARN • On-line federal tax law training on IRS web site - includes exercises (www.irs.gov/app/vita) • Click on Advanced tab to begin. • Basic and Intermediate courses are a subset of the Advanced course • Ignore Military, International, Puerto Rico, Foreign Student courses • Abbreviated “What’s New” course for returning volunteers • Does NOT include New Jersey tax law • Practice Lab – special online version of TaxWise • TWO/Training STRONGLY preferred • Online Certification Tests (linklearn.webtechteam.com) • New volunteers must use paper test. DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  19. LINK & LEARN SPECIAL CERTIFICATION • Two OPTIONAL subjects require on-line training and certification • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) • Cancellation of Debt (COD) • On-line Advanced certification is required before taking the HSA and COD online training and tests DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  20. LINK & LEARN VIEW DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  21. Counselor Certification Requirements • STEP 1 – Pass the IRS test with 80% for each segment (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced). • STEP 2 - Proficiency • Three scenarios (Moore, Fleming, Sterling) from Pub 4491-W (federal only) • Plus one NJ complete return (Jones) • Must be completed and reviewed by second Counselor • STEP 3 – Sign the Volunteer Standards of Conduct • Note: Must use 2010 Law and Software DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

  22. Preparer Resources • IRS Documents • Publication 4012 – Volunteer Resource Guide (VRG) • Publication 17 – Your Federal Income Tax (later) • Form 1040 Instructions (later) • … plus many other specialized IRS documents • In Scope/Out of Scope Chart • Interview and Intake Sheet • TaxWise Help • And best of all… Your Site Coordinator and fellow volunteers! DRAFT NJ Training TY2010 v0.8

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