PERSonalTime
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Anyone participate as a tax preparer in the IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program? If so, how was it and what was the preparation needed to become a participant?
IRS VITA Program
- Thread starter PERSonalTime
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For the past 5 tax seasons, I volunteered with AARP TaxAide which operates under the IRS/VITA umbrella.
It has been enjoyable and rewarding.
This past season (2016 returns), IRS changed the software provided to VITA groups (including AARP), which led to numerous issues and frustrations. Hopefully those will be corrected by the 2017 tax season.
In our local case, new volunteers usually have a 2 or 3 day training session in November. Then all volunteers (new and returning) have a 3-5 training session in early January. Then you have to pass the test (IRS publication 6744) in order to be certified.
In our case, we are provided with laptops and in some cases printers (or access to a shared printer).
It has been enjoyable and rewarding.
This past season (2016 returns), IRS changed the software provided to VITA groups (including AARP), which led to numerous issues and frustrations. Hopefully those will be corrected by the 2017 tax season.
In our local case, new volunteers usually have a 2 or 3 day training session in November. Then all volunteers (new and returning) have a 3-5 training session in early January. Then you have to pass the test (IRS publication 6744) in order to be certified.
In our case, we are provided with laptops and in some cases printers (or access to a shared printer).
Philliefan33
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This tax season was my first volunteering as an AARP tax aide. We had one online training session in November, just to introduce the software, then five days in-person training in January.
Like jwkde, I found it to be enjoyable and rewarding.
Like jwkde, I found it to be enjoyable and rewarding.
Souschef
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I have been a Taxaide for over 5 years, and enjoy it thoroughly. The gratitude of the people not having to spend $$ to have their taxes done is great.
Been doing AARP Tax-Aide (TCE.....tax counseling for elderly which focuses,
but not exclusively, on those >50 y.o.) for somewhat more than 10 yrs.
The clients are fun to work with and it is rewarding.
Every blue moon, you get a case that is even more rewarding:
Like the couple who came came and showed me his SSA-1099. When I asked about hers, the reply was that she didn't get SS because she never worked outside the home. They didn't know about the 50% spousal benefit so got a homework assignment to find out. They were excited to get a gift that would continue in future yrs.
Or the person who came in with a 1099-R and that box 2b checked(taxable amount not determined) . I have to confess that after years of asking taxpayers about the box and mostly getting non-helpful answers , I probably didn't always ask that question. On this day, I was glad I did even though the answer was still not helpful. Fortunately the taxpayer had brought in the previous yrs return and it had been prepared by a paid pro. Turns out return was out -of- scope because the IRA had basis. I sent taxpayer home with homework assignment to learn about F8606 but when I checked the next week,
he had already filed via TT. I couldn't believe the lesson had been learned that quickly ..........and it hadn't.........TT & taxpayer had collaborated to make the whole distribution taxable even tho 50% was basis. Got taxpayer to do the homework and file amended return........and that lesson will pay dividends in every future year also.
For the OP.........you should be aware that there are 2 programs....VITA and TCE. I have never worked in VITA but I know that every year since I began,
I have found the most difficult problems in the test to be the basic ones dealing with various family situations/filing status/etc. Older folks in TCE tend not to have such complex family situations.
Some of the training materials.....the 4012 and the CA Duck Book are outstanding.
but not exclusively, on those >50 y.o.) for somewhat more than 10 yrs.
The clients are fun to work with and it is rewarding.
Every blue moon, you get a case that is even more rewarding:
Like the couple who came came and showed me his SSA-1099. When I asked about hers, the reply was that she didn't get SS because she never worked outside the home. They didn't know about the 50% spousal benefit so got a homework assignment to find out. They were excited to get a gift that would continue in future yrs.
Or the person who came in with a 1099-R and that box 2b checked(taxable amount not determined) . I have to confess that after years of asking taxpayers about the box and mostly getting non-helpful answers , I probably didn't always ask that question. On this day, I was glad I did even though the answer was still not helpful. Fortunately the taxpayer had brought in the previous yrs return and it had been prepared by a paid pro. Turns out return was out -of- scope because the IRA had basis. I sent taxpayer home with homework assignment to learn about F8606 but when I checked the next week,
he had already filed via TT. I couldn't believe the lesson had been learned that quickly ..........and it hadn't.........TT & taxpayer had collaborated to make the whole distribution taxable even tho 50% was basis. Got taxpayer to do the homework and file amended return........and that lesson will pay dividends in every future year also.
For the OP.........you should be aware that there are 2 programs....VITA and TCE. I have never worked in VITA but I know that every year since I began,
I have found the most difficult problems in the test to be the basic ones dealing with various family situations/filing status/etc. Older folks in TCE tend not to have such complex family situations.
Some of the training materials.....the 4012 and the CA Duck Book are outstanding.
jimnjana
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
This was the first year in the last six that I wasn't a VITA volunteer. It became too much like a job for me plus I was traveling and missed the training in the new software. Not 100 percent sure I will return to the program.
REWahoo
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give
I was a Tax Aid volunteer the first year after retiring. While it was rewarding to be able to help folks with their taxes, the people who ran the local program were worse than my old boss to work for. It was an unpleasant experience, one I had to force myself to stick with until the end of tax season. I didn't return the next year.
I'm sure my issue was due entirely to the personalities of the local program managers.
I'm sure my issue was due entirely to the personalities of the local program managers.
Sunset
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I have thought about it, just because getting the training would make me feel like I'm not missing anything tax-wise.
I do the taxes for 3 relatives every year, as they are pretty old, and I have the software so can file the Fed return for free for them.
One of the fellows usually does his on paper first, and then we discuss why my numbers are different sometimes.
In my small sample group, the medical deductions including mileage, prescriptions, and insurance costs were the thing that most didn't consider initially.
I do the taxes for 3 relatives every year, as they are pretty old, and I have the software so can file the Fed return for free for them.
One of the fellows usually does his on paper first, and then we discuss why my numbers are different sometimes.
In my small sample group, the medical deductions including mileage, prescriptions, and insurance costs were the thing that most didn't consider initially.
I was a Taxaide volunteer the first year I retired, did the training as described above etc. It was very gratifying, even though my bike was stolen after a few weeks. I had a good group of other volunteers that I worked with, however I'm ashamed to say that even 5 hours a day 3 times a week felt too much like w*rk and the following year I didn't sign up.
Sunset
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
What a sad commentary on our tax system, that even the IRS supports volunteer's to assist people doing their returns.
When I did social work a long time ago (didn't pay enough) , I would check my clients returns they had done by volunteers, and I found about 30% had an error which was big enough for me to re-do the return for a larger refund.
When I did social work a long time ago (didn't pay enough) , I would check my clients returns they had done by volunteers, and I found about 30% had an error which was big enough for me to re-do the return for a larger refund.
frayne
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I worked as a VITA volunteer and VITA site supervisor for two years after working for HR Block for five years. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience with most of the people being so very grateful for competent and free tax prep.
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I have been doing TaxAide since 2008. Was a local coordinator for about 5 years. Very rewarding. The time commitment, especially for training the first couple of years, is not trivial. The people I work with are great. The clientele almost without exception is very grateful.
This year I had two taxpayers (separate cases) who were over 100.
CardsFan
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
For those that have volunteered, is there any requirement beyond a standard understanding of the tax code? That is, could a person who has done their own taxes for most of their life be able to help?
It sounds like an interesting, and fulfilling volunteer opportunity.
It sounds like an interesting, and fulfilling volunteer opportunity.
Souschef
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
I enjoy doing it, now that I am retired.
Most of the tax prep is straightforward, where you enter the 1099's and W-2's.
The sticky parts are for Earned Income Credit, ACA, determining filing status other than single or MFJ. Also determining who is a dependent can get sticky. We are issued a series of decision matrices to help.
As others have mentioned, it is definitely interesting and fulfilling. If you have
done your own taxes, that is definitely a plus........but depending on what your own personal situation is, it is unlikely that you will have seen every situation that will come up......usually once per day in the beginning and less often as you accumulate yrs of street smarts. Like Uber drivers, and allocated tips....but it is likely that one of your colleagues will have seen it so ask around,and use the very good resources provided, and google.
Not a formal volunteer. But I do literacy tutoring for immigrants and I have extended the definition to include tax literacy. The last few years I have tried to show them how to do their taxes using FreeFile. I end up doing most of the work but at least they get a rudimentary feel for how the tax process works in the USA. These are straightforward returns but they have generally paid H&R Block $200-$300 in past years because they were so intimidated by the process. Makes me feel good to save them the $$$ and hopefully reduce the intimidation factor.
analytic_al
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I retired two years ago, and got certified and helped with VITA returns both years since that time. As you mention, before retiring I usually did my own taxes, read JK Lasser, and stayed on top of current tax issues just so I could make good decisions and plan.
Our local VITA program is well run, good site coordinators and I've met some very nice people. Although they offer multi-day training classes, I read the IRS training materials and passed the Advanced Cert online ahead of time. If I had any questions, I planned to go to a class.
IRS Vita Cert info is here
https://www.linklearncertification.com/d/
I know exactly what prior posters meant about it feeling like w%rk... But I worked out a pretty flexible on-call schedule with three site coordinators. They would just txt me if they were short on help, or over loaded. Worked out great for me.
Our local VITA program is well run, good site coordinators and I've met some very nice people. Although they offer multi-day training classes, I read the IRS training materials and passed the Advanced Cert online ahead of time. If I had any questions, I planned to go to a class.
IRS Vita Cert info is here
https://www.linklearncertification.com/d/
I know exactly what prior posters meant about it feeling like w%rk... But I worked out a pretty flexible on-call schedule with three site coordinators. They would just txt me if they were short on help, or over loaded. Worked out great for me.
PERSonalTime
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Thanks to everyone for your replies! I just had one other question. How flexible are the programs regarding working hours. I wouldn't want to work more than two times a week; maybe 3 hours a day.
The group I worked with were very flexible on hours and days, but reliability on the time promised was important. There were limited numbers of laptops provided so scheduling to maximize resources was vital.
Probably depends a lot on your site coordinator and other available folks.....can't imagine tho that they would turn down free labor no matter how limited it was. We had one person who only came in when the weather was bad and they couldn't go golfing
This year was my first with Tax Aide. I took the studying very seriously. The classes were ok but going through all of the material is critical. Probably studied 60 hours along with classes.
I know I made mistakes, especially early on. There are so many nooks and crannies in the tax code. Yes, luckily there are some that VITA can't do that are out of scope.
I just dropped into the center when I knew I had an open day. Very flexible. Will do again and definitely see why CPA's or tax people head to the bars after the deadline.
I know I made mistakes, especially early on. There are so many nooks and crannies in the tax code. Yes, luckily there are some that VITA can't do that are out of scope.
I just dropped into the center when I knew I had an open day. Very flexible. Will do again and definitely see why CPA's or tax people head to the bars after the deadline.
This was my third year. It's a lot of fun. My mom and sister volunteer too.
In my city they are very flexible about hours. You can pick which days you want to work although since each site is only open one or two days per week, you may have to drive a little. We usually worked 8:45 to 1 or so. I would have been happy to work more days, but they always have plenty of volunteers.
In my city they are very flexible about hours. You can pick which days you want to work although since each site is only open one or two days per week, you may have to drive a little. We usually worked 8:45 to 1 or so. I would have been happy to work more days, but they always have plenty of volunteers.
