Jackie Blair

Volunteer Coordinator

jackie.blair@foundcom.org

Volunteer training options:

New Volunteer Training

New volunteers attend 10 hours of training. Two 4-hour sessions cover the basics of tax law and the TaxWise software we use at the Community Tax Centers. At the end of the 8 hours, you will be familiar with the 1040 tax form, know how to determine filing status and dependents, and understand income, tax deductions, and tax credits. The final 2 hours are in a Simulation Session where you experience a tax center in action and complete a tax return from beginning to end.

New Volunteer and Experienced Tax Preparer (4 Hours)

The TaxWise Only class will introduce you to the TaxWise software we use at the Community Tax Centers. Tax law is not covered. If you are not familiar with the W7 Application for Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), we encourage you to take that 2-hour class.

Returning Volunteer Training

Returning volunteers attend either 4 or 8 hours of training. Volunteers who were certified at the Basic Level or not certified during the 2007 tax season should attend 8 hours of training. The first 4-hour session, Moving from Basic to Intermediate, reviews basic tax law and introduces intermediate tax law issues. The second 4-hour session, Intermediate Review, is for returning volunteers who have taken “Moving from Basic to Intermediate” or who were certified at the Intermediate Level in the 2007 tax season.

Advanced Training (3 Hours)

Welcome back, seasoned volunteers! This training is for any volunteer who has been with the Community Tax Centers or a VITA program for 3 or more years. We’ll cover tax law changes, new tax center procedures, and areas that need clarification. We will not review TaxWise.

W7 Applications for ITIN (1 Hour)

Learn the proper way to fill out a W7 application so clients can obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). Volunteers completed over 1,500 W7 forms during the 2007 tax season, and our clients are depending on you to complete the form correctly! We strongly encourage everyone to take this training, including returning volunteers.

Training for Intake Specialists and Translators (2 Hours)

Intake specialists and translators set the tone for a client’s experience at a Community Tax Center and are critical to helping the tax preparation process run smoothly. Attend this training to learn how to do these important jobs and what’s new for the 2008 tax season.

**Please note that you must register in advance for ALL Community Tax Centers trainings.**

Training for 2009 tax season will begin in November.

Please check back for dates.

Please e-mail:

Jackie Blair, Volunteer Coordinator

Jackie.blair@foundcom.org

to be added to the 2009 volunteer list for updates and information.

Special thanks to Castleview Productions for producing the Community Tax Centers' training video!