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VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. 2014 Tax Year 2015 Filing Season. Special Assistants. Sarah Mackey. Liaisons. Accounting Valentina DAnna. Law Zac Burley. Other. Volunteer Recruiter Agnes Wang. Site Coordinator Dr. Cathy Bowen. What is VITA. Nationwide program
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VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 2014 Tax Year 2015 Filing Season
Special Assistants Sarah Mackey
Liaisons Accounting Valentina DAnna Law Zac Burley
Other Volunteer Recruiter Agnes Wang Site Coordinator Dr. Cathy Bowen
What is VITA • Nationwide program • Sponsored by IRS-Internal Revenue Service • Volunteers and community organizations • Started in 1969, first returns prepared in 1970 • Income eligible taxpayer
PSU-VITA Program • Started in 2004 tax year • Penn State Cooperative Extension/College of Agricultural Sciences • 2007 TY law students volunteered • 2009 TY accounting students volunteered • 2014 TY (2015 filing season) = 11th year
Hand off to Sarah, Austin, and Valentina • (Zac---on a job interview)
Program Benefits • Taxpayer/Community • Free return preparation • e-filing/faster refunds • Increased awareness of campus units and exposure to positive models of Penn State students • Provide additional educational information
Program Benefits-2013 Impact • MyFreeTaxes—returns completed with IRS free file program under special PSU link = 43 completed.
Program Benefits • Volunteers • Increase understanding of personal income taxes • Build your resume • Develop skills in working with others • Personal satisfaction of helping others • Miller Center Public Interest Advocate Certificate—law students • Reference outside of your academic area • Camaraderie/Fun
Program Benefits- • University Recognition—Faces Campaign (2012 faces.psu.edu)
Site Details • Appointments Only Site • Tues. Wed. Thurs. 5-9 p.m.(advertise 5-8 p.m. last appt. is 7 p.m.) • Saturday 9-3 p.m. (last appt. 3 p.m.) • Open from Feb. 2 to April 11, 2015 • Closed for Spring Break (March 8-14, 2015)
Volunteer Requirements • Volunteers must be certified by IRS • Link ’n Learn-on-line, self-study (federal) • In person supplement (federal and PA) • 3 hour shift commitment • Ability to be conversational, ask questions, friendly personality • See Training Schedule. Please keep for reference.
Study/Reference Materials • 4491 Training Guide • Test/Retest Booklet • Publication 17 • 1040 Instruction Booklet • 4012—Key Reference at the site
Special Reminders • Do you have two e-mail accounts—please link them or READ both daily so you do not miss messages about VITA. • Special PA Tax Webinar—optional but suggested. • Tuesday, November 3, 2014, 1 to 4 p.m. • 211 Business Bldg. Come and go as your schedule permits