Training Using New NTTC Materials. Carl Kantner

Transcription

1 Training Using New NTTC Materials Carl Kantner

2 2018 Workbook Revised Two Objectives Provide Instructors with tools to facilitate classroom instruction Provide volunteers with exercises for proficiency and certification 2

3 Contents Introduction/Table of Contents Training Exercises (New) Practice Exercises Quizzes 3

4 Two Types of Exercises Training Exercises For Instructor use in a classroom setting Contain all the core topics usually encountered on the Advanced Exam Separate Instructor Guide PowerPoint Presentations Practice Exercises Provided for volunteers to reinforce/refresh knowledge and skill For volunteers to demonstrate proficiency and meet certification requirements 4

5 Training Exercises Core Exercise Series (four exercises) Designed for new volunteers Core topics taught using four return scenarios Instructor Guide provides information and Ideas PowerPoint Presentations Core Inclusive Exercise For new or returning volunteers Single Exercise containing all core topics Instructors teach topics in old 1040 line-by-line approach Instructor Guide provides additional information 5

6 Core Exercise Series Each lesson is designed around an exercise return Separate Instructor Guide provides information and ideas Single Working Taxpayer Single Working Parent Young Married Couple w/self-employment Lesson Senior Married Couple w/capital Gain/Loss Lesson ACA Supplement Exercises require class to conduct an interview Example discussion points are provided for each tax topic 6

7 Single Working Taxpayer Tom Andrews

8 Single Working Taxpayer This lesson will focus on a simple tax return for a typical single employed taxpayer The following tax topics will be discussed: Single Filing Status Income: Wages, Interest, and Unemployment Adjustments: IRA Deduction and Student Loan Interest Standard Deduction Credits: Retirement Savings Credit 8 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

9 Filing Status Two criteria: Marital status on last day of tax year Federal definition married Legal marriage under laws of any state or country Does not include civil unions or registered domestic partners Persons living in the home (may or may not be dependents) or supported by taxpayer 9 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

10 Filing Status Importance Many tax items affected by filing status Necessity to file a return (Pub 4012 Page A-1 Chart A) Standard deduction (Pub 4012 Page F-1 Exhibit 1) Tax rate bracket Eligibility for certain credits (e.g., Pub 4012 Page I-3 Step 3, and others) 10 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

11 Five Choices for Filing Status Single Married filing jointly (MFJ) Married filing separately (MFS) Head of household (HoH) Qualified widow(er) (QW) Pub 4012 Tab B 11 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

12 Filing Status: Single Not married as of December 31 Married, but legally separated There may be a more advantageous filing status if the taxpayer has dependents or other qualifying person (covered in later lesson) 12 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

13 Income Taxable vs Non-Taxable Examples? Turn to TAB D-1 Earned vs Not Earned Examples? Turn to TAB I-1 13 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

14 Income: Wages Earned or Not Earned? Wages are reported on form W-2 See Intake/Interview Form 14 Tom Andrews Single Working Taxpayer Lesson

15 Training Exercise Interview Each exercise requires the class to conduct an interview Volunteers review the I&I Sheet and taxpayer documents Volunteers then interview the taxpayer (Instructor)* Interview topics and responses are provided in the Workbook Instructor Guide Volunteers update and annotate the I&I Sheet in response to the interview * Option: two Instructors could conduct the interview in a role play format 15

16 Interview Example Example from the Workbook Instructor Guide Tom Andrews (Single Working Taxpayer) marked Yes for receiving unemployment benefits There is no 1099-G Tom replies he received benefits for two months while laid off but did not receive the form Instructor prompts discussion: What are some options? Instructor states that Tom is able to call the Unemployment Office and provides the amount received, taxes withheld and address and EIN of the agency Volunteers record this information on the I&I sheet 16

17 Training Exercise Discussion Points After volunteers make a TaxSlayer entry Instructors have an opportunity to reinforce learning points The guide provides example discussion points for each tax topic 17

18 Discussion Point Example Tom Andrews (Single Working Taxpayer) makes a contribution to his IRA After volunteers enter this in TaxSlayer Instructors could prompt discussion What limits this deduction? What effect can this have on the return? Was a retirement savings credit generated? What limits the retirement savings credit? What form will be printed for the taxpayer? 18

19 Practice Exercises Focused (New) Five exercises that focus on specific tax topics Core* Exercises that contain core topics that all volunteers must be familiar with Comprehensive* Exercises that contain advanced topics which most experienced volunteers should be comfortable handling Specialty* Two exercises that contain advanced topics (HSA and Education Benefits with unrestricted scholarships) *Refreshed versions of last year s workbook exercises 19

20 Focused Exercises Each exercise is focused on a specific core topic Instructor Guide provides additional information and ideas Basic Income Self-employment Income Retirement Income Investment Income Itemized Deductions and Education Benefits Exercises can be used with the Core Training Series to reinforce the lesson topics 20

21 Core Inclusive Exercise A single exercise containing all the core topics Separate lessons in old Form 1040 line-by-line sequence AGI and Refund Monitors included to stay on track Requires class to conduct an interview Best use would be for returning Counselors in a classroom setting to refresh their knowledge and software skills 21

22 Quizzes Same as last year: ACA Quizzes Filing Status/Dependent Quizzes Tax Topic Quizzes 22

23 Instructor Guide Separate document to be distributed electronically through TRSs Information and ideas for using the Training Exercises in the classroom 23

24 Instructor Guide Instructor Guide for Tax-Aide NTTC Workbook I will send an electronic copy to any instructor that requests one 24

25 Instructor Guide Contents Introduction with Table of Contents Individual Guides for each Training Exercise Notes for each Practice Exercise highlighting key learning points Detailed notes for the two Specialty Exercises Appendix - Separate Interview Notes for the Training Exercises for use outside of the classroom Appendix - Example training schedules (New and Returning Volunteers) 25

26 PowerPoint Presentations A PowerPoint Presentation has been prepared for each of the four exercises in the Core Training Exercise Series Slides drawn and adapted from the various NTTC Training Slide Sets Slides prompt volunteers to open and review the Volunteer Resource Guide (Pub 4012) wherever possible Slides for TaxSlayer data entry prompt volunteers to refer to Volunteer Resource Guide Instructors should delete, add, or modify slide to meet district training needs Presentations are available in the Portal Library 26

27 Additional Resources from NTTC Available in the Portal Library New Volunteer Orientation Policy and Procedures Review Client Facilitator Training NTTC Training Slides (Release 1) 44 Topics 27

28 New Volunteer Counselor Orientation TY2018 {Colorado, Your District} {Date}

29 Tax-Aide Policies and Procedures Review For All Volunteers Tax Year 2018

30 The Client Facilitator Tax Year 2018 This training supplements the Tax-Aide Policies and Procedures training which is required for all AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers

31 Questions? 31