”This release updates the individual forms for the IRS changes due
to the AMT Legislation. TaxWise will not allow you to e-file the
following forms until approximately February 11th, based on the
dates given to us by the IRS:
Form 1040A Schedule 2, Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits
Form 8396, Mortgage Interest Credit.
Form 8859, District of Columbia First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Form 8863, Education Credits
……”

Since many VITA sites will be open to help taxpayers beginning February 1 if not sooner, how do we deal with returns that include these credits? In the absense of official word from Spec and the IRS, this is a situation that many site coordinators will face at their sites, and will need to come up with a suitable response.

Here are some possible responses:
a) Do not start preparing such returns, and tell the taxpayers they need to come back again after Feb 11
b) Prepare the returns, submit them, get them rejected, and have the site penalized for rejected returns.
c) Prepare the returns, sit on them until Feb 11 and then submit them, and then explain to taxpayers the reason they did not receive their refunds as promised was because their returns could not be accepted by the IRS - and then try to explain why and how E-filing could ensure they get their refunds faster than filing paper returns
d) Ask your relationship manager (the IRS Coordinator in charge of VITA matters) how to deal with this situation.
e) Prepare the returns telling the taxpayers that the filing will be delayed, then file on Feb 12, and then scratch heads and try to remember why certain items were filled in certain ways.
f) Generate more ideas on how to handle the situation and add it to this blog to get this answer going.

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

Print This Post

Is Link n Learn sufficient, or is classroom training necessary?

Jan 03, 2008 by webmaster.

While Link n Learn is a fast way to get certification to do taxes for volunteers to go at their own pace, it may not be the best form of training for all volunteers. In classroom training, you get the opportunity to discuss tax law with other volunteers. You will realize that certain commonly used words have a different meaning when used in tax preparation.

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

Print This Post

Hello world!

Dec 14, 2007 by webmaster.

This blog was launched to allow VITA volunteers, coordinators and other well-wishers, including those who use our services to express themselves. As individuals, we may have our own views of the program, and what we hope to get out of it, and this blog will permit us to share it with other people.

Comments about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program are welcome. Off-topic comments and comment spams will be deleted.

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »