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TAX-AIDE
TAX-AIDE
District 18 Training Plan
December 9, 2015
TAX-AIDE
District 18 Overview
● Five tax preparation sites north of Denver Boulder, Broomfield, Lafayette,
Louisville, Longmont
● Approximately 70 total volunteers
● Starting our 3rd year of Immersion training
TAX-AIDE
Training class methodology
• Replicate end-to-end process used at tax prep sites
• Instructors lead counselors in preparing multiple returns Use modified NTTC Workbook scenarios Cover all common District 18 taxpayer issues Do not use templates
• Instructors pause regularly to direct counselors to applicable reference material for discussion (4012, Pub 17, Wiki page)
• Proceed at pace appropriate to counselor skill levels with frequent pauses to compare results
• Each new counselor has a mentor alongside
TAX-AIDE
Counselor feedback from Jan 2015 training
• Overall effectiveness All ratings 4 or 5 on scale of 1 to 5
• Most helpful training topics, in order ACA, all, education benefits, broker statements,
TWO – 4012 link
• Least helpful topics, in order None, multiple 1099-Rs, basic material
• What to improve, in order Nothing, more ACA examples
● Frequent comment: “Confidence”
TAX-AIDE
Change in 2016 training sessions
● Previous years: Two sessions One day for 1st year counselors Four days for all counselors (~ 60)
● 2016: Three sessions (< 30 people) Introductory for 1st year counselors
Basic for new and less experienced counselors
Advanced for more experienced counselors
Appropriate session for each counselor determined by Local Coordinators
Advantages: Set pace and content for skill levels, more individualized training, easier logistics
TAX-AIDE
Three distinct training sessions
1. Introductory Training
• Friday, December 11
• Tax-Aide program overview
• How to become a Tax-Aide Counselor Upcoming training sessions Training and reference materials Certification and qualification
• TaxWise Introduction How to navigate TWO Preparing a simple return
TAX-AIDE
2. Basic Training
• Mon-Wed, January 18-20
• Review of Tax-Aide program and policies, volunteer responsibilities, tax preparation process, TY 2015 tax law changes, Wiki
• Preparation of three straightforward returns in TWO with “routine” tax law topics
• Emphasis on use of reference materials
• Everything they need to know to pass Advanced Certification tests and prepare most taxpayer returns
Three distinct training sessions
TAX-AIDE
3. Advanced Training
• Thurs/Fri, Jan 21-22 OR Mon/Tues, Jan 25-26
• Two sites attend Thurs/Fri, three sites attend Mon/Tues
• Brief review of TaxAide program and policies, TY 2015 tax law changes, Wiki
• Preparation of one comprehensive return with emphasis on complex tax law topics
• Everything they need to know to pass Advanced Certification tests
• Optional session at end: amendments, part-year CO return, Health Savings Accounts
Three distinct training sessions
TAX-AIDE
Training preparation
• Select and modify scenarios from NTTC Workbook
Reduce some duplication but not all Add taxpayer forms and conditions to
cover all relevant situations Introduce modifications to taxpayer
forms to illustrate teaching points (e.g., 1099-R codes)
Fit lessons into allocated time
• Develop matrix of topics / returns / instructors / schedule
TAX-AIDE
Partial Matrix for Basic SessionBlack = 1st time topics Blue = repeated topics Red = scenario modifications
1040 Line Cunningham Holmes Yale1-5 Filing status Interview and Intake Sheet
Who must/should file? MFS, compare with others
MFJDeceased spouse
MFJ
6 Dependents ExemptionsQualifying child/relative4012 tables and Wiki dependent calculator
Granddaughter Children, Parent
7 Wages Income typesW-2
W-2sTip income
8 Interest – taxable 1099-INT 1099-INT 1099-INT
Interest – tax free 1099-INT from broker 1099-INT
9 Dividends 1099-DIV from broker 1099-DIV
10 Taxable state refund
Make refund taxable and add prior year data
11 Alimony received Add Alimony received
12 Self-employment Remove business income from notes
1099-MISC box 7, cash, expenses
13 Capital gains 1099-B, Supplemental exercise data
15, 16 Retirement income
1099-R, with changes for multiple conditions
Early distribution, 1099 Simplified Method, PSO exclusion
TAX-AIDE
Partial Matrix for Basic Session
Instructor Opening1.5 hours
Cunningham 3.25 hours
Holmes6 hours
Yale9.75 hours
Tom Tax-Aide overview Federal return 1 hour 2.75 hours Mark Return start Investment income 1.5 hours Judith Return start Various income Education adj&cred 4 hours Ray Retirement income Other income 1040 page 2 items Return finish 2.5 hours
TAX-AIDE
Partial Matrix for Advanced SessionRed = scenario modifications
1040 Line Kerry Topics
1-5 Filing status MFJ, Deceased spouse
6 Dependents Qualifying child/relative, Wiki dependent calculator
7 Wages Petroleum W-2, delete other W-2s
8 Interest – taxable Seller financed mortgage, 1099-INT, OID, K-1
Interest – tax free 1099-INT, OID, Broker statement
9 Dividends 1099-DIV, Broker statement, K-1
10 Taxable state refund Taxable refund
11 Alimony received None
12 Self-employment 1099-MISC box 7, cash, expenses
13 Capital gains 1099-B, Broker Statement, Capital Loss Carryover, Wash Sales, Transaction Summaries, Inheritance, K-1 (Adjust for proper content and timing)
15, 16 Retirement income Incorrect distr. Code, delete Rollover and OMB, Simplified Method
17 Rents, royalties 1099-MISC, Schedule E
19 Unemployment comp None
20 Social Security SSA-1099, Reference lump sum but won't do
21 Other income Gambling W-2G, 1099-LTC, Jury income, credit card debt cancellation
23 Educator expenses Educator expenses
25 Health Savings Acct Optional session
TAX-AIDE
ACA Approach
● Handout at start of lesson Definition of terms Description of seven variations on taxpayer
and dependent coverages
● At conclusion of one tax return, for each coverage scenario
Discuss conditions and applicable references Clear previous scenario data from ACA
Worksheet and 8962 / 8965 forms Input new scenario data on ACA forms Discuss effects on 1040 page 2
TAX-AIDE
We also have some fun
● Trivia Contest – 15 questions mostly about taxes, with restaurant gift card to winner
TAX-AIDE
Take-Aways from Training
● Learn where to find information Procedures and policies, tax laws, TaxWise
● Help is available Training sessions, resource materials,
mentors, Local Coordinators
● Keep the goals in mind We help many very thankful people who
can’t do this on their own We exercise all our brain cells This really is enjoyable
TAX-AIDE
Questions / Comments?
District 18 Introductory Training December 15, 2014