Volunteer Greeter/Screener VITA

Training

January 7, 2014

VITA Greeter/Screener

Tax Payer

Goals

• Provide support to the VITA site.

• Understand and be sensitive to the taxpayer’s perspective

• Ensure that customers have the necessary information required to complete their tax return.

What Qualities are Needed?

• Ability to deal with the public in a helpful, non-judgmental and supportive manner

• Willingness to share time, skills, and interest at a VITA site

• Friendly, dependable and flexible

• Pride in performing tasks completely and accurately

What are my responsibilities?

• Bring your volunteer agreement along with photo identification and give the Form 13615 to the Site Coordinator (if you don’t bring it, you will not be able to volunteer)

• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time

• Sign in the volunteer log when you arrive and when you leave.

What are my responsibilities?

• Greet taxpayers’ professionally, courteous, and respectfully.

• Have taxpayers sign in• Add up the amounts on the W-

2(s) and if over $52,000 or if they have rental properties, refer to AARP

What are my responsibilities?

• Do not accept payment or solicit donations for federal or state tax return preparation.

• You can not solicit business from taxpayers you assist or use the knowledge gained (their information) about them for any direct or indirect personal benefit for you or any other specific individual.

What are my responsibilities?

• Have taxpayer fill out the intake and interview sheet

• If taxpayer has problems reading the interview sheet, ask if you could help in any way.

Intake & Interview

• All sites must use an intake & interview process.

• This process must include using an Intake & Interview sheet Form 13614-C

Intake and Interview Sheet

Ensure the taxpayer is who they say they are!!!!

• Picture ID• Social Security card for

everyone being claimed on the return

Necessary Information

• Ensure the customer has brought the necessary information all income information (e.g. W-2’s and 1099)

• Last year’s return, (if available)

• Ensure they have their bank information (blank check) if using direct deposit for refund.

What are my responsibilities?

• Provide general assistance to customers

• Screen all customers to identify what type of return and tax schedules they will need.

• Safeguard taxpayer confidentiality

Identity Theft• Nationwide, identity theft continues to grow at an

alarming rate. It is now the number one consumer complaint reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Identity theft occurs when thieves use your personal information (such as your Social Security number or driver's license number) to gain access to money, credit, goods or services in your name without your permission. The IRS takes this issue very seriously. People whose identities have been stolen spend months or even years correcting the problems thieves have made.

• Preparing tax returns for taxpayers who bring in a current CP01A Notice or Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) is within scope of the VITA/TCE programs.

•

Supplies Needed

• Clip board with sign in sheets• Form 13614-C• Pen or pencil• PPP VITA client surveys

Helpful Resources

• http://www.socialsecurityofficelocation.net/florida-social-security-office-sc9

• www.MyFreeTaxes.com/ppp • www.BankonTB.com• 2-1-1

VITA/TCE sites may receive visits from:

• QSS Reviews

• IRS-SPEC Mystery Shoppers

• Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Shoppers

• SPEC relationship managers to conduct Field Site Visits

• Your Partner

• Civil Rights Division (CRD) to monitor compliance with Title VI and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities

What do I do if a customer is over the income guideline?

Who do I go to if I have problems or questions?

If I decide to later take the test so that I can prepare tax returns or answer tax law questions can I?

Questions?

FOR ALL YOU DO