The Client Facilitator Tax Year 2016

Transcription

1 The Client Facilitator Tax Year 2016 This training supplements the Volunteer Site Policies and Procedures training which is required for all AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Volunteers

2 Goal Ensure Client Facilitators (CF) are adequately prepared to effectively function in their role 2

3 Objectives Increase CFs understanding of the essential role they play at the tax site. Increase CFs understanding of the role, duties and requirements Enhance CFs knowledge of resources and tools used in this role 3

4 What/Who is a Client Facilitator? First point of Contact Greeter, Screener, Interviewer Does not answer tax questions unless a certified Counselor Ensures taxpayer completes intake sheet in its entirety 4

5 What/Who is a Client Facilitator? (cont) Assists in collection and record site service counts Local Coordinator or a Counselor can also be a Client Facilitator 5

6 Benefits of a Client Facilitator Creates pleasant welcoming atmosphere at site Calms worried or impatient taxpayers Avoids unnecessary taxpayer delays Brings order to administration tasks Increases site productivity 6

7 Client Facilitator Qualifications Personable, organized, patient, diligent Knows Tax-Aide policies and site procedures Need not be certified Counselor 7

8 Requirements to be Client Facilitator Complete AARP Volunteer Site Policy and Procedure training Pass Volunteer Standards of Conduct test Pass Intake/Interview & Quality Review test Sign Volunteer Agreement Form

9 Client Facilitator Tasks Greets and welcomes taxpayer Ensures taxpayer is logged in on activity log Alerts Local Coordinator or Shift Coordinator if taxpayer requires/ requests special assistance 9

10 Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Explains Interview/Intake Sheet assists with completing as necessary Explains the tax return preparation process for the site Assigns taxpayer to Counselor following site procedures 10

11 Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Ensures activity log updated when taxpayer departs site Additional duties as assigned by LC Ensures every applicable question on Intake Sheet is answered YES or NO or UNSURE 11

12 Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Ensures taxpayer has SSN or ITIN for everyone on return and verifies ID Sorts documents in Form 1040 order by taxpayer/spouse Check documents are they in scope? 12

13 Volunteer Standards of Conduct 1. Follow the Quality Site Requirements 2. Do Not accept payment or solicit donations for federal or state tax return preparation 3. Never solicit business for self or others 4. Do Not knowingly prepare a false return 5. Do Not engage in any criminal or any conduct deemed to have a negative effect on the program 6. Treat all taxpayers in a professional, courteous and respectful manner 13

14 Volunteer Standards of Conduct 14 Explain the site process to the taxpayer Sign-In Complete Intake and Supplemental Intake Sheets Document review and Interview with Counselor Tax Preparation with Counselor Quality Review Taxpayer advised that they are responsible for the accuracy of their return Taxpayer signs return

15 Volunteer Standards of Conduct (cont) Pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSOC) test with 80% or higher Sign the Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement Failure to abide by the Standards of Conduct is cause for dismissal 15

16 Volunteer Standards of Conduct All volunteers must sign Form critical text Instructions: All VITA/TCE volunteers (whether paid or unpaid workers) must pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct Test, and sign and date Form 13615, Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement, prior to working at a VITA/TCE site. In addition, return preparers, quality reviewers, site coordinators, and VITA/TCE tax law instructors must certify in the Intake/Interview & Quality Review and tax law prior to signing this form. This form is not valid until the site coordinator, sponsoring partner, instructor, or IRS contact confirms the volunteer s identity, with photo ID, and signs and dates the form. 16

17 Form 13615, Page 2 17

18 Prepare for Intake/Interview Test All taxpayers must complete Form C Intake/Interview Sheet Volunteers are to review taxpayers photo identification to deter identity theft Proof of Health Insurance is not required 18

19 Prepare for Intake/Interview Test (cont) Taxpayers are to be assigned to Counselors with the appropriate certification level ALL Tax-Aide counselors are certified at the Advanced Level Counselors can only prepare returns at the level for which they are certified 19

20 Prepare for Intake/Interview Test (cont) All tax returns must be quality reviewed counselors are not allowed to quality review returns that they prepared Quality Reviewers must be at the same or higher level of certification to review tax returns at site Quality reviewers checks the accuracy of the return 20

21 Prepare for Intake/Interview Test (cont) Quality Reviewer explains to the taxpayers that they are responsible for the accuracy of their return before the taxpayer signs 21

22 Client Facilitator Job Aids Form C Supplemental Intake Sheet Site Sign In/Activity Reporting Log In Scope/Out of Scope Poster Taxpayer Information and Responsibility Poster 22

23 Client Facilitator Job Aids (cont) Local Social Security offices/addresses Other local city or state office addresses that might be needed or helpful List of frequently used acronyms 23

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31 Taxpayer Information and Responsibilities (cont) 31

32 Taxpayer Information and Responsibilities (cont) 32

33 Typical Forms W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) W-2G (Certain Government Payments) Schedule K-1 (Partner s Share of Income; Estate or Trust) 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) 1099-R (Distribution from Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.) 1099-INT (Interest Income) 1099-DIV (Dividends & Distributions) 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income) 1099-G (Certain gambling winnings) 1099-B (Proceeds from Brokers and Barter Exchange Transactions) SSA 1099 (Social Security Benefit Statement) RRB 1099 (Railroad Retirement Benefits) 33

34 Tax-Aide Process Door Taxpayer Forms printed and signed Taxpayer Return(s) Quality Reviewed Missing documents or ID, out of scope, Taxpayer Taxpayer Taxpayer completes IRS Intake Sheet & Supplemental Intake Sheet Welcome and greet Sign-in Client Facilitator Taxpayer Screen 34 Counselor conducts Interview and prepares tax return(s)

35 Client Facilitator Questions? Comments 35