Mayor’s Leadership Academy

September 2011

Boston, Massachusetts

Top 10 Tips for 2012

Tips for 2012 – Number 10

Promote the Benefits of Purchasing Savings Bonds with

Tax Refund

• Access Through Form 8888

• Can Split a Refund Into an Existing Bank Account or Receive Remainder of Refund in Paper Check

• Great Entry Point for “First Time” Savers

Tips for 2012 – Number 9

Consider Offering “FAST” Services in Your Community

• Free Assisted Self-Service Tax Preparation Services

• Taxpayer Completes Returns With Assistance From Trained Volunteer

• Did You Know? VITA/TCE Serves Close to 70% Single Taxpayers

Tips for 2012 – Number 8

Emphasize to All Your Partners The Critical Need to Capture

Data

• Data Is Key To All Funders

• Data Helps Highlight Gaps, Barriers and Challenges

• Data Will Help Us Serve More Individuals with Disabilities

Tips for 2012 – Number 7

SPEC Offers a “Little” Help to Our Friends This Tax Season

• Form 8879 Retention Requirement Has Been Removed

• TaxWise Password Reset Process Has Been Automated

• Linked and Unlinked Returns Options Have Been Restored

Tips for 2012 – Number 6

Utilize TaxWise Training Opportunities To Make Sites More

Efficient • TaxWise Offers Over 50 Training Topics for

Desktop and Online Products

• Lessons Average 8 Minute Per Topic

• Better Training Might Stop the Over 63,000 Calls Free Tax Volunteers Made Last Year

• Might Make Volunteers Happier to NOT Have to Call!!

Tips for 2012 – Number 5

Increase Accurate Returns at Your Site – Complete A Thorough Quality Review of Each Tax

Return

• No One is Perfect!

• Only Takes a Few Minutes But Might Save Taxpayer’s Hours of Frustration Further Down the Road!!

Tips for 2012 – Number 4

Increase Accurate Returns at Your Site – Complete An In-Depth

Intake and Interview Process on Every Return

• Taxpayer Knows All the Answers – But You Have to Ask!

• Might Help Clients Get Bigger Refunds!!

Tips for 2012 – Number 3

Expand Resources In Most Effective and Efficient Manner

• Long Term Program Sustainability Requires Optimization of Available Resources

• Transition to Electronic Products and Electronic Training Options Where Feasible

Tips for 2012 – Number 2

Increase Confidence In Free Tax Preparation Program

• Accuracy is Key For All Parties – IRS, Partners and Especially Taxpayers

• In Challenging Economic and Budget Times, Increased Confidence Will Translate to Increased Funding

• Insure Highest Ethical Standards are Followed By All Participants

Tips for 2012 – Number 1

Expand Ability to Serve More Taxpayer’s at Free Tax

Preparation Sites• 19 Million Low to Moderate Income Taxpayers

Are Interested in Free Tax Preparation Services

• 3 Million Taxpayers Have Been Served Over Past Several Years

• Identify Innovative Methods For Serving More Taxpayers