TAP 2010 Getting Started

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Willette M. Crews, Presenter

November 20, 2009

Welcome to TAP Season 2010

Thank you for helping families save money

and take control of their finances in TY2008.

Getting Started

TY2009 TAP Differences Design Models Season Schedule Action Items Prep Steps to Season

2008 Summary - What We Learned

Training and Practice Critical Access in Rural Areas Still an Issue Local offices need more community partners College volunteers valuable resources Local partnerships enhance project

TY2009 Changes - Design

Most sites will use Beehive software Staff participation encouraged but not

mandatory All training via Internet except for community

partners Advanced certification needed at all sites to

deal with cancellation of debt issues

TY2009 Changes - IRS

Site Coordinators and Quality Reviewers must certify at Intermediate or above

Verification of test results required before volunteer can work as preparer

Changes in hours require change to 13715 and submission to SPEC

Listing of VITA sites will be on IRS website IRS has added Partner Page to its site

TY2009 Changes – Target Areas

Increase focus on remote communities

Use networking to leverage resources

Non-filers Domestic Violence

victims Disabled taxpayers

TY2009 Changes - Design Models

Daily Preparation During Business Hours

Weekly Event Days/Nights

Scheduled Remote Events

Combination of Options

Design Model – Event Days/Nights

Weekly preparation days

Weekly preparation nights

Design Model - Daily Availability

Walk-ins

By Appointment

Design Model - Remote Events

DV Shelters Homeless Shelters Housing Communities Community Agencies Churches Other Places

TY2009 Changes - Internet

Use Online training to conserve resources.

Use GoToMeeting (G2M) to facilitate coordination of project among all sites.

TY2009 - Regional Approach

Identify common community partnerships

Share burden of administrative tasks

Facilitate coordination of remote events

Regional Approach – West

Boone/N. Wilkesboro Morganton Sylva Concord Charlotte

Regional Approach – Triad

Winston-Salem Greensboro

Regional Approach – Central

Pittsboro Durham Raleigh Wake Forest Benson (Farmworkers) Smithfield

Regional Approach – Southeast

Fayetteville Pembroke Wilmington

Regional Approach – East

Ahoskie Enfield Wilson Goldsboro Rocky Mount Columbia Hyde County Plymouth Williamston New Bern Kinston

Community Partners

North Carolina Clients Council Greater Kinston Credit Union Martin County CDC Tyrrell County CDC Samaritan’s Ministry Farmworkers Group WEB DuBois CDC

North Carolina Clients Council

North Wilkesboro (Samaritan’s Ministry) Rocky Mount Goldsboro Kinston (GKCU) New Bern (assisting local site) Fayetteville (assisting local site) Columbia Hyde County Plymouth

Action Items - Outreach

Get the word out using flyers and coupons Flyers/posters will go out to churches &

agencies Place posters and coupons in your intake

areas and remote locations

Action Items – Non-filers

Look for taxpayers who have not filed in several years

IRS will only give refunds retroactively for 3 years

EITC may still be available to some non-filers

TY2009 – Software Changes

Changes Made to Taxwise

ARRA Impacts Beehive Options

September and October Activities

ARRA Flyers and Posters distributed Community Partner Development Training of NCCC volunteers Updates & changes to webpage Begin materials distribution

Schedule - November

November 16 Link & Learn Training Lab Back Online

November 15 Distribution of Coupons & Flyers continues

November 20 Process-Based Training online

November 30 Completion of Site Coordinator, ARRA and 13614-C Training

November 30 December Flyer Distribution begins

Schedule – December & January

December 15 Beehive Training December 15 Local Site Coordinators

Tax-Law Certified December 30 Preparers Certified January 7 Coordinators Training II

E-filing & Reports January 15 Return preparation

begins

TY2009 – Prep Steps

Define local design Complete IRS Form 13324

(IRS Civil Rights Compliance) Complete IRS Form 13533

(Sponsor Agreement) Recruit Preparers

Next Steps – Define Local Design

Create local design using options described

Identify concerns and/or assistance needed to facilitate

Next Steps – Complete IRS Forms

Submit Local Design (days & hours)

(due immediately on IRS Form 13715) Complete IRS Form 13324

(IRS Civil Rights Compliance) Complete IRS Form 13533

(Sponsor Agreement)

Next Steps – IRS Training

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 13614-C Intake and Interview/Quality

Reviewer Training Site Coordinator Training VITA/TCE Certification Test at Intermediate

Level (minimum)

Next Steps – Recruit Preparers

Start with Staff

Contact 2008 Preparers

Seek new preparers

Schools, clients, other volunteers

Thank You

If I have not spoken with you personally, please send me an email to let me know when you are available and I will call you.

Suggestions and ideas are always welcome. Please call me or send me an email.

Contact Information

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns:

Willette Crews

(919) 688-6396 x434

(919) 672-0264 (mobile)

willettec@legalaidnc.org