Welcome! dancing with the stars ^ ta x Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Annual Site Coordinator Conference November 4, 2015

Welcome!

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Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Annual Site Coordinator Conference November 4, 2015

WiFi


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Username: California Ballroom 2Password: 11041998

2015 Results


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Alameda County

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60 tax assistance sites980 volunteers22,246 returns$8.9 million EITC$4.4 million CTC$25.2 million total refunds

Contra Costa County


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38 tax assistance sites333 volunteers12,265 returns$3.4 million EITC$2 million CTC$12 million total refunds

Marin County


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10 tax assistance sites123 volunteers3,281 returns$1.1 million EITC$645k CTC$3.3 million total refunds

Napa County


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11 tax assistance sites78 volunteers1,939 returns$944k EITC$846k CTC$3 million total refunds

San Francisco County


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45 tax assistance sites1,013 volunteers20,598 returns$8.2 million EITC$3.8 million CTC$22.9 million total refunds

San Mateo County


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33 tax assistance sites372 volunteers9,203 returns$2.3 million EITC$1.2 million CTC$9.3 million total refunds

Solano County


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21 tax assistance sites107 volunteers4,920 returns$1 million EITC$663k CTC$4.4 million total refunds

Grand Total


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218 tax assistance sites3,006 volunteers74,452 returns$26 million EITC$13.6 million CTC$80 million total refunds

Saving is hard. We make it easy.


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Site Integration Manual Review

Purpose To provide you with information & resources you can use to

promote savings at your site. Give you the tools to encourage & reinforce positive financial

security habits. To help clients continue to make the most of their hard-earned

dollars by telling them about savings options and giving them the confidence to save all or part of their refund.

Addressing Barriers

Fact Of VITA clients receiving a large refund, most likely, this will be the greatest one- time payout they will receive all year.

Spend or Save?Taxpayers have a choice. It is our job to prompt clients to think

about savings and sell them on the concept and benefit of it. All deserve the ask!

Not talking with clients about savings is a barrier. All taxpayers should be given an equal opportunity to become aware of the saving options while keeping the message positive and encouraging.

Engaging your Volunteers

• TrainingSavings should be incorporated into all training & orientations.

• IncentivesClient incentives work! Set a site savings goal and make it visible!Make it fun! Participate in regional savings competition.

• FeedbackVolunteers value feedback- recognize them, especially if they’re doing a great job.

Client Outreach

Savings message should be introduced and reinforced even before the client comes to your VITA site.Before:

Consider sending reminder email in December & JanuaryIf you schedule appointments- tell them to bring their savings

information.During:

Post EKS savings material at your site, especially in the waiting area.

Client Outreach cont’d.

• During cont’d.Have a designated “financial coach” float around and talk to

clients about savings.Have tax preparers and quality reviewers talk to clients about

savings options and incentives.• After:

If client saved, congratulate them! Don’t forget their incentive!If they didn’t- say “maybe next year!”

Client Flow

Savings Talking Points

• Gauge taxpayers’ interest in saving with simple, brief message or question (e.g., “Would you like information on your saving options?”). If taxpayers state they are not interested in saving money, accept that and do not continue to promote saving.• Never pressure taxpayers to save. It is their decision, and they know what is

best for them. It is important to respect whatever decision they make.• Educate taxpayers on the benefits and value of saving — it helps taxpayers

increase their financial stability and achieve their financial goals. More specifically, it may help them be prepared for an unplanned event, emergency or expense and avoid borrowing costs.• Share personal stories

Incentives

Clients who save $50 or more can participate in the following:

• EKS Raffle – chance to win $100 (10 winners)• D2D National Sweepstakes – chance to win $100 or

$25k • EKS Tote Gift – all savers get a bag!

Qualifying Savings Products

• Existing savings accounts• Savings Bonds• myRA – retirement savings account backed by US Dept. of Treasury

Data Collection

• To determine number of “savers” you had at your site, we will use the number of Form 8888s reported to EKS by IRS.• When enrolling your clients in either EKS/D2D sweepstakes, they must

verify using a Form 8888 to win.

CFPB: Tax Time Savings Pilot

What we can expect from participating in the pilot:• Promising practices on ways to encourage saving at tax time; • Educational materials for consumers about saving at tax time including posters,

brochures, flyers on ways to save, and a video that can be used for training and looped in waiting rooms (where technology is available) that describes saving options;• Webinar-based training and corresponding manuals for trainers, volunteers,

and staff of participating tax programs on approaches to implement promising practices at tax sites;• An additional training module to be used to train volunteers specifically on how

to help consumers buy a bond or split their refund using IRS provided tax preparation software.

Savings Resources

• Volunteer Cheat Sheet

• EKS Website: www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org Savings-dedicated page for coordinatorsVolunteer training materials with savings incorporated

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Website: www.consumerfinance.gov

• Your fellow coordinators!

http://www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org/

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Now It’s Your Turn

• Barriers• Volunteer Engagement• Client Outreach• Client Flow• To-Dos

Franchise Tax Board


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ACA Updates


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Marketing


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Volunteer Outreach


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• Volunteers are our #1 asset

• Can only serve more taxpayers if we have volunteers

• Each year ramping up volunteer recruitment

Volunteer Outreach Resources


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• Volunteer digital ads• Web banners on EKS

website• Sign up through website• Press release• Recruitment flyer• Videos

Client Outreach

• Trying to make the most impact across a wide region

• Evolving messaging• EKS marketing meant to

supplement your own outreach

• Offer print and web resources

Client Outreach

• Website• 211• Flyers: Customizable (3

languages)• Postcards (3 languages)• Press release• Flyer shell• Digital advertising• Videos

Now It’s Your Turn


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1. Who is your audience?2. What is the goal of your communication?3. What is your hook?4. What is the best way to package your

message?5. When will you share the message?

Federal Tax Law Updates


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Volunteer Retention


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Daniel Tejada Claudia Velasco

• The Women’s Building – San Francisco• 550 returns a season• 2 days a week – Sat. and Thurs.• 10 – 15 volunteers per shift/day• 2016 will be 3rd year as a site coordinator

• Monument Impact– Contra Costa• 350 returns a season• 2 days a week • 6 tax preparers and 2 interpreters per shift/day• 2016 will be 7th year as a site coordinator

Claudia Clerc-Olvera Armando Martinez

• Canal Alliance – Marin• 500 returns a season• 2 days a week – 4 hour shifts (Sun. and Wed.)• 6 tax preparers and 2 interpreters per shift/day• 2016 will be 3rd year as a site coordinator

• Monument Crisis Center – Contra Costa• 150 returns last season• 3 to 4 days a week • 3 to 8 tax preparers per shift/day and 20 total• 2016 will be 2nd year as a site coordinator

Documents

Welcome! dancing with the stars ^ ta x Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Annual Site Coordinator Conference November 4, 2015