Volunteer Tax Preparer Certification

An accurate return is the most important aspect of providing quality service to the taxpayer. To ensure that volunteers are capable of preparing accurate returns, the certification tests cover the major components of return preparation including understanding and applying tax law; screening and interviewing taxpayers; using references, resources, and tools; and conducting quality reviews.

Preparing for the Certification Test  

• Attend the appropriate training class(es). Contact Jackie Blair if you have questions.

•Use Link and Learn, the e-learning tool created by the IRS. Link and Learn has 5 separate training courses: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Military, and International. Go to http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/index.jsp.

•Review the resource materials you receive in the mail from the IRS.

Certification Instructions  

•The certification test requires current tax data, so do not attempt to take the test before you receive your package of resource materials in the mail from the IRS. That package will also contain a paper copy of the test so you do not have to print the online version.

•Starting in late December, volunteers will be able to access TaxWise from their personal computer and work the test problems using TaxWise for the current tax year. Jackie Blair will email you those instructions when that option is available. We encourage you to wait until TaxWise is available so you can use it to prepare the returns on the test.

•Volunteers must certify by entering answers on the online test. The paper test you receive in the mail from the IRS is for your reference only. Please be aware that the on-line questions do not exactly match the test questions in the book so read the on-line questions very carefully to make sure you enter the correct answer.

•Access the online test through Link & Learn ( http://linklearn.webtechteam.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/default.aspx).There are 5 separate certification tests. Each level of certification builds on the previous level.

•Military and International certification are not needed for the Community Tax Centers.

To be certified, you must pass each test with a minimum score of 80% accuracy.

After you pass a test online, print the Volunteer Agreement, sign it, and fax (447-0288) or mail it (3036 South 1 st, Ste 200, Austin 78704) to Jackie Blair. Jackie must have your signed Volunteer Agreement before you can prepare returns at a tax center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What if I do not pass a test on my first attempt?

Answer : On paper, there is a test and retest. For the online test you are allowed four attempts at certification for each test. The on-line test questions are randomly pulled from paper test and paper retest so you will take a different test on each attempt.

Question: Are there tools to help me understand the questions I miss on the test?

Answer : Links are next to each question at the end of the online test. These links go back to the relevant tax law topic in Link & Learn for a review of the subject.

Question: Why do some test questions ask for page numbers from reference materials?

Answer: One of the main components of the IRS’s quality improvement strategy is to encourage volunteers to use the Volunteer Resource Guide and other reference tools. Having volunteers refer to these references during certification reinforces this practice.

Question: What if I am unable to complete an online test in one session?

Answer: The online system will bookmark where you stop in the test. When you log back on, it will show “in progress” for the test you were taking. Click on that link to continue.

Question: What if I need to change an answer on the online test?

Answer: You cannot change an answer once you have advanced to the next question or completed a test. So, make sure you enter your answer correctly before you continue.