1. What is VITA? |
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1. What is VITA?
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national program that offers free tax preparation help to people with low- to moderate-incomes (about $49,000 and below). The average VITA client has an annual income of $19,000.
VITA sites are operated by local community partners with support, training and supervision from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Returns are prepared and reviewed by IRS-certified volunteers using IRS-approved software.
2. Why are VITA sites important?
VITA sites are critical to helping our community because it provides a safe alternative to high-fee tax preparation and predatory lending in the form of expensive refund anticipation loans.
Many working families are eligible to receive valuable Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. These tax credits provide refunds that are critical for families trying to make ends meet. Most people use the money they receive from the tax credits and fee savings to help pay their bills and daily living expenses, as well as for investments in education and savings.
The average adjusted gross income for taxpayers served by VITA is about $19,000. Community VITA sites serve a variety of taxpayers, including those who earn minimum-wage, who are experiencing homelessness, are self-employed, military members or their families, the elderly, or people with disabilities.
3. How do VITA sites benefit the community?
VITA programs benefit not just individual taxpayers, but also the entire community in a variety of ways.
VITA programs help more taxpayers receive all the tax benefits they are eligible for. A recent survey showed a 15% increase in the amount of EITC brought back to local communities by VITA programs across the nation. Other studies show that for every dollar returned to working families through other tax credits, $1.50 in economic activity is generated.
VITA increases tax compliance. Taxpayers with limited knowledge of the tax code, limited access to technology, and limited cash to pay for services often seek out VITA services. As a result, many VITA clients are first-time filers, who not only file returns for past years, but can be counted on to file in years to come.
4. How can I get involved?
You can get involved in several different ways! We are looking for tax preparers, greeters, child care providers and financial screeners. Training and certification need to be completed before Tax Season. Sign up now!
5. How can I sign up to volunteer?
You can also e-mail Liz Eberlin, VITA volunteer coordinator at Elizabeth.eberlin@unitedway.org or you can call her at 406-252-3839 ext 17.
6. Do I have to take a test?
Tax preparers and reviewers must be certified by passing one or more IRS tests, ranging from basic to advanced.
7. Tell me more about the VITA test.
Volunteer tax preparers must pass the Basic test. Intermediate and Advanced courses and tests are also available. (Intermediate certification is recommended.)
Reviewers must pass the Intermediate course or higher. (People with tax experience are not required to complete course work before taking the tests.)
Volunteers have a total of two attempts to pass each test level.
*MSUB students must pass all three levels and keep track of their grade, as directed in the syllabus
*Student interns must pass three levels
8. What is the time commitment?
Training time: For tax preparers and reviewers, training and taking the test may take 14-18 hours. (Training is less intensive for people with previous tax experience.) Greeters can expect two to four hours of training.
Volunteering time: Volunteers sign up for three-hour shifts on the dates and locations convenient for them. There is no minimum time requirement for general volunteers. (MSU Billings students enrolled in ACTG 401 must sign up for 30 hours/semester or 3hours/ week and student interns must sign up accordingly to credit hours.)
VITA sites are usually open from mid-January to mid-April. This year, we will have four VITA sites operating in Yellowstone County. As part of the Financial Stability Partnership, District 7 HRDC and United Way will operate sites that take clients by walk-in or appointment on Saturdays and weekday afternoons and evenings. In addition, two credit unions, Rimrock Credit Union and Billings Federal Credit Union will take VITA clients by appointment only during weekday business hours.
9. I can't commit to volunteering the entire tax season, can I still help?
Yes! As a volunteer, you can choose the locations and hours that fit your schedule. February is our busiest month, but we need volunteers throughout tax season.
10. What skills are necessary to volunteer as a tax preparer or reviewer?
• Ability to learn about tax regulations and pass IRS test
• Ability to use a computer and tax preparation software
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with diverse groups of people
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality
11. Do I have to be an accounting major or have accounting background to volunteer?
No, anyone can volunteer! It's a great opportunity to learn about tax preparation and give back to the community!
12. Is the training free?
Yes! All of the training and training materials are free. United Way of Yellowstone County, District 7 HRDC, Montana Credit Union Network and the State Revenue Department offer the training in cooperation with the IRS. The IRS provides volunteers with the free training materials.
13. How is the training done?
VITA training is offered in a variety of ways including of self-study, online, telephone, and classroom training.
14. I'm nervous about helping people with their taxes. What if I make a mistake?
Experienced tax preparers are available at all times to help volunteers with questions. HRDC-7 and United Way VITA sites have a supervisor and assistant supervisor on-hand to answer questions or assist you in tax preparation. In addition, as part of our 100% Quality Review program (in accordance with IRS guidelines), all returns are reviewed by a second tax preparer before being filed.
Finally, the IRS provides a toll-free VITA help hotline to provide volunteers with tax technical assistance.
15. Who can I talk to for more information?
You can go to www.unitedwayyellowstone.org for more information. Click on the VITA link. You can also e-mail Liz Eberlin, VITA volunteer coordinator, at elizabeth.eberlin@unitedway.org or call her at 406-252-3839 ext 17.