VITA Milpitas VITA Milpitas Community Library Site Community Library Site

2006 Annual Report 2006 Annual Report

VITA Milpitas VITA Milpitas Community Library Site Community Library Site

2006 Annual Report 2006 Annual Report Shahid Mujtaba, PhDShahid Mujtaba, PhD

Site CoordinatorSite Coordinator

May 2, 2006May 2, 2006

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

• VITA is a nation-wide program of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide help to low-income, limited English speaking, elderly, and disabled taxpayers prepare and file their taxes at no charge

• Service is provided by IRS-trained volunteer Tax preparers at public places such as Churches, Libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, etc

• VITA Milpitas Community Library is one of these sites. It is located at the Milpitas Community Library and has been providing service for more than 15 years

Comparison of 2005 and 2006 Seasons

2005 – 2006 Site Financial Impact

2005**(2004 Tax Yr)

2006*(2005 Tax Yr)

Total AGI/Returns $3.8m/161

Unemployment Income/Returns $80k/24

Refunds/Returns $152k/126

Tax Due/Returns $29k/32

Earned Income Credit/Returns $50k/62 $55k/47

Child Tax Credit/Returns $36k/43 $35k/25

Educational Credit/Returns $1k/10

Savers Credit/Returns $4k/13

* Based on Accepted IRS E-Filed Returns by April 17, 2006 ** Based on Paper and E-filed Returns for 2004 Tax Year

2005 Return Distribution by Map of

TaxPayer City

2005 E-filed IRS Returns by City

• 68 returns or 42% from Milpitas• 52 returns or 32% from San Jose• More than 75% from Santa Clara County• Clients from as far away as San Francisco, Tracy, Morgan

Hill, and through our roving Tax Preparer, Pomona

2005 Returns Created and Accepted by Week

Creation Week

Num

ber

of

Retu

rns

Acc

epte

d b

y W

eek

2005 Return Turnaround Time in

Days

Days from E-File Return Creation to Acceptance by IRS

Num

ber

of

Retu

rns

Cumulative % of accepted E-File Returns by Create – to – Accepted

number of Days

Days from Creation to Acceptance of E-file ReturnsAvg = 2.5 days

2005 Outstanding Returns by Date

2005 Returns filed at VITA Milpitas Community

Library

Need 802.11g cards, wireless routers, and on site internet connection for next year

As shown in 2005

R&D/IT

R&D/IT

2 Transmitters

Multiple Transmitters

Need Digital Projector, Scanner, Printer, PDA, Tablet PC, on-site internet connection next year

2006 Major Accomplishments

• R&D/IT Dept experimenting with new technology

• Fully wireless LAN• More productive with fewer volunteers and

sessions, due to:– Willingness of energetic volunteers to learn– Familiarity of tax preparers with tax concepts– Newer faster more reliable IRS loaned computers– Networked printers

• Tools for site management

2007 objectives• Internet connection at site• Digital projector showing current services, FAQ, and capabilities of

site to waiting taxpayers• Digital Scanner for keeping and managing records electronically• Tablet PC and PDA/Pocket PC for interviews• Target:

– 10 Volunteer Tax Preparers, 1 Volunteer IT Consultant, 1 Volunteer Coordinator,

– 7 Volunteer Tax Preparers present each week– 250 E-filed returns– 75% created and accepted same day– average created to accepted = 1.5 days– Maximum created to accepted = 1 week– 0 E-File rejects due to inconsistencies with SSN info

• Pre-Season Training on TaxWise / Transmitting

Acknowledgements• Thanks to volunteers for enthusiasm, dedication

and willingness to help others• Thanks to Milpitas Community Library for

hosting, publicizing our services, and being our off-hours presence and contact point

• Thanks to Mayor, City Council, City of Milpitas for recognizing selfless dedication of volunteers and support for wireless components and supplies

• Thanks to unrecognized family members whose sacrifice allow volunteers to help taxpayers

An Appeal• VITA always needs volunteers• For chaotic, high-energy, challenging,

fun, productive learning volunteer experience preparing taxes or supporting IT Infrastructure, join the VITA Milpitas Community Library Site

• See http://www.vita-volunteers.org