The Client Facilitator Tax Year 2017 This training supplements the Tax Aide Policies and Procedures training whichis required for all AARP Foundation Tax Aide Volunteers
Goal Ensure Client Facilitators (CF) are adequately prepared to effectively function in their role at their local site 2
Objectives CFs understand the essential role they play at tax site CFs understand their role, duties and requirements Enhance CFs knowledge of resources and tools used in this role 3
Role of Client Facilitators First contact with taxpayers Primary communicator with waiting taxpayers Explain the Tax Aide process for the site to taxpayers 4
Role of Client Facilitators Aid Local Coordinator and Site Personnel in site administration Aid Counselors by verifying Taxpayers are ready for tax return work to begin 5
Typical Tax Aide Process Door Taxpayer Forms printed, reviewed with taxpayer 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 6 Counselor conducts Interview and prepares tax return(s)
Role of Client Facilitators Client Facilitator does NOT Answer any tax law questions Involve themselves in tax preparation with a taxpayer Give ANY tax advice to taxpayers NO EXCEPTIONS 7
Benefits of a Client Facilitator Creates pleasant welcoming atmosphere at site Calms worried or impatient taxpayers Makes the Counselor s job easier Brings order to administration tasks at the site 8
Benefits of a Client Facilitator Increases site productivity Identifies problems early Frees Local Coordinator to concentrate on tax preparation, quality reviews and/or assisting Counselors Allows Counselors to be more productive 9
Client Facilitator Qualifications Personable, organized, patient, diligent Knows Tax Aide policies and site procedures Need not be certified Counselor 10
Requirements to be Client Facilitator Complete AARP Tax Aide Policy and Procedures training Pass Volunteer Standards of Conduct test Pass Intake/Interview & Quality Review test Sign Volunteer Agreement Form 13615 11
Client Facilitator Tasks Verifies required posters and forms are displayed and available at site Greets and welcomes taxpayer Ensures taxpayer is logged in on activity log 12
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Explains tax return preparation process for the site Aid Local Coordinator if taxpayer requires/requests special assistance 13
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Reminds taxpayers of identification and SSN documents required for taxpayers and dependents verifies documents if site practice Verify with taxpayers they have brought required tax documents (if site practice) 14
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Ensure that taxpayers have completed required Intake Sheet and any state or local intake forms (if site layout and number of taxpayers allow) Reviews Intake Sheet for completeness does not answer tax questions Ensures every applicable question on Intake Sheet is answered YES or NO or UNSURE 15
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Sorts documents in Form 1040 order by taxpayer/spouse (if site practice) Separate Documents necessary for this tax year only Sort others for review by Counselor Identify complex tax returns Communicate possible Scope problems to Local Coordinator 16
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Aid Local Coordinator in assigning taxpayer to Counselor following site procedures Ensures activity log updated when taxpayer departs site 17
Client Facilitator Tasks (cont) Work closely with Local Coordinator to Keep taxpayers comfortable and stress free as possible Other items as determined by Local Coordinator 18
Client Facilitator Job Aids Required Items Form 13614 C Supplemental Intake Sheet Site Sign In/Activity Reporting Log In Scope/Out of Scope Poster Taxpayer Information and Responsibility Poster 19
Client Facilitator Job Aids (cont) Local Social Security offices/addresses Other local city or state office phone number/addresses that might be needed or helpful List of frequently used acronyms 20
Client Facilitator Quiz Taxpayer asks if he has to report cash receipts from odd jobs What do you do? 21
Client Facilitator Quiz Taxpayer asks if he has to report cash receipts from odd jobs What do you do? Tell Taxpayer to discuss with the Counselor CF does not answer tax questions 22
Client Facilitator Quiz Taxpayer brings in Last year s Intake Form 13614 C and says nothing has changed What do you do? 23
Client Facilitator Quiz Taxpayer brings in Last year s Intake Form 13614 C and says nothing has changed What do you do? Inform them that a new form must be completed every year and give them this year s form 24
Form 13614 C Notes Taxpayer completes Pages 1 3 Shaded areas to be completed by Counselor, not taxpayer Verify all questions answered even if Unsure is answer 25
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Site may use an alternate form 29
Client Facilitator Questions? Comments 30