Tax Tip 2020-174: How people can give back by becoming an IRS-certified volunteer

IRS Tax Tips December 18, 2020
Useful Links: IRS.gov Help For Hurricane Victims News Essentials What's Hot News Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions The Newsroom Topics Multimedia Center Noticias en Español Radio PSAs Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts The Tax Gap Fact Sheets IRS Tax Tips Armed Forces Latest News IRS Resources Compliance & Enforcement News Contact Your Local IRS Office Filing Your Taxes Forms & Instructions Frequently Asked Questions Taxpayer Advocate Service Where to File IRS Social Media	Issue Number:  Tax Tip 2020-174 How people can give back by becoming an IRS-certified volunteer  The IRS and its community partners are looking for people around the country to become IRS-certified volunteers for the upcoming tax season. These long-standing programs offer valuable help to America's taxpayers: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers free tax return preparation to eligible taxpayers who generally earn $57,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Tax Counseling for the Elderly is mainly for people age 60 or older. Although the program focuses on tax issues unique to seniors, most taxpayers can usually get free assistance. AARP participates in the TCE program through AARP Tax-Aide. New processes make volunteering safe and easy To keep everyone safe, potential volunteers can tune in virtually to learn more about the programs, ask questions and find out which volunteer role is right for them. Some volunteer sites will offer virtual help to taxpayers in place of face-to-face assistance. This allows volunteers to help taxpayers complete their tax returns over the phone or online. Other volunteers will conduct a virtual quality review with the taxpayer before e-filing their tax return. While virtual volunteering will be an option this tax season, some VITA and TCE sites will still offer in-person free tax help. Safety and social distancing will be emphasized during face-to-face interactions. There are many available volunteer roles: Greeters to help screen taxpayers to determine the type of assistance they need. Interpreters to provide language services. Tax preparers to use electronic filing software to complete tax returns. Tax coaches at some sites, to encourage taxpayers to prepare their own tax returns and help them through the process.  Other benefits of volunteering include: Volunteers can work flexible hours. Volunteers can generally choose their own hours and days to volunteer. The programs are usually open from late January through the tax filing deadline in April. Some sites are even open all year. No prior experience needed. Volunteers receive specialized training to become IRS-certified. They can also choose from a variety of volunteer roles to serve taxpayers. VITA and TCE programs want volunteers of all backgrounds and ages, as well as individuals who are fluent in other languages. The IRS provides free tax law training and materials. Volunteers receive training materials at no charge. The tax law training covers how to prepare basic federal tax returns electronically. The training also covers tax topics like deductions and credits. Tax pros can earn continuing education credits. Enrolled agents and non-credentialed tax return preparers can earn continuing education credits when volunteering as a VITA/TCE instructor, quality reviewer or tax return preparer. People can sign up through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program by visiting the sign-up page on IRS.gov. Shortly after signing up, interested participants will receive an invite to attend a virtual orientation. IRS YouTube Video: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Recruitment   Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: How people can give back by becoming an IRS-certified volunteer. https://go.usa.gov/xArEy  Back to Top         Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov. This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.

 

---

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

---

This email was sent to business.solutions.ve@gmail.com by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Internal Revenue Service · 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. · Washington DC 20535