Mayor’s Leadership Academy

September 2011

Boston, Massachusetts

Upcoming Changes in VITA and Tax Landscapes

Program Sustainability

Increase Confidence in Program

Driver: Accuracy of Returns• Expand Utilization of Intake/Interview

and Quality Review Processes

• Strengthen Ethical Standards

• Revisit VITA/TCE Scope

• Complete Shopping Reviews

Increase Confidence in Program

Intake/Interview Process Number of Returns Accuracy Rate

Number of Completed Form 13614C TaxWise Intake/Interview Sections 9 78%

Number of Completed Form 13614C Intake/Interview Sections 525 88%

Completed Approved Partner Created Forms 9 100%

     

Number of Incomplete Forms 13614C TaxWise Intake/interview Sections 1 0%

Number of Incomplete Form 13614C Intake/interview Sections 171 85%

Incomplete Unapproved Partner Created Forms 6 50%

No Intake Sheet Used 3 67%

Total Reviews 724 87%

Intake/Interview Process Usage

Increase Confidence in Program

Quality Review Process Number of

ReturnsAccuracy

Rate

Number of Completed Forms 13614C, Quality Review Section 566 91%

Number of Complete Forms 8158 9 78%

Partner Approved Review Forms 6 100%

     

Number of Incomplete Forms 13614C, Quality Review Section 90 77%

Unapproved Form 5 80%

Number of Completed Unapproved Quality Review Processes 4 25%

No Quality Review Sheet/Process Used 44 70%

Total Reviews 724 87%

Quality Review Process Uptake

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers

Driver: 19 Million Eligible for Services• Maximize Utilization of Resources

• Explore Alternative Methods for Completing Free Tax Returns

• Expand Collaborative Efforts Nationally and Locally To Find New Opportunities to Serve

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers

Total Returns

Total AARP Returns

AARP % of Total Returns

2009 3,030,247 1,498,184 49.44%

2010 3,077,068 1,522,958 49.49%

2011 3,162,483 1,536,720 48.59%

Expand Ability to Serve Taxpayers

FAST – Free Assisted Self-Service Tax Preparation• Designed to work “kiosk style” • Taxpayers prepare their own returns

– Trained volunteers available to assist– Volunteers must be certified at basic or above

• FAST sites can be:– Stand alone sites– “Added Service” at existing sites

• Taxpayer’s utilize free online software provided by members of the Free File Alliance– H&R Block– Intuit (Turbo Tax)– Tax Slayer

Resource Optimization

Driver: Budgetary Constraints• Resources Declining

• Expand Efficient Use of Resources– Products/Materials

• Goal – Transition to Electronic Resources– SPEC Internal Efficiencies

– Enhance Effectiveness of Electronic Products

– Identify Early Adapters

– Promote Best Practices

Resource Optimization• Product Transition Example

– Publication 4491Training Kit• Publication 4491 (Paper)• Publication 4491-W (Paper)• Publication 4012• Publication 6744 – Test (Paper)

– Publication 4480, Link & Learn Taxes Kit• Publication 4491-W (Paper)• Publication 4012 (Paper)• Publication 6744 – Test (Paper)• CD w/Pub 4491, 4491-W, 4012, 6744

– Stand Alone Products• CD w/Pub 4491, 4491-W, 4012, 6744• No 4012 or 6744 This Year