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Who We Are
Our mission at
CFED is to make
it possible for
millions of
people to
achieve financial
security and
contribute to an
opportunity
economy.
How do we do it
We push to expand innovative practical solutions that
empower low- and moderate-income people to build wealth.
We drive policy change at all levels of government.
We support the efforts of community leaders across the
country to advance economic opportunity for all.
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Lee Davenport
Principal, Davenport Consulting
Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance - VITA
• Vulnerable populations
claim valuable tax credits
• Provide tax preparation to
eligible taxpayers
• Increase quantity of
taxpayers served
• Volunteer-led tax
preparation
Facilitated Self-Assisted
Tax Preparation
• Empowered taxpayers
navigating tax system
• Expanded service
population/minimize cost
• New clients aware of your
CBO and its related support
• Create segmentation for
different TP service needs
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Defining Ideal FSA Clients
Words to describe Ideal Client
Characteristics of Ideal Clients
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Regular access/use of email
Simple return
Young
Tech savvy or tech
comfortable
• Someone who shops online
Young (Age 20-35)
W-2 Income
Single Filers
Claiming EITC and CTC
1st time filers
College students
• Those with ACA/health insurance questions
• Those afraid/unwilling to prepare their own taxes
• Filers claiming America Opportunity Credit:
– Taxpayer’s understanding of status as a dependent
– Complexity in reporting appropriate costs of education
Defining
Other
FSA Clients
• Clients starting
on the
another
platform
but unable to
finish
Role of FSA
Resources
Required
Volunteer
Recruiting &
Training
Marketing &
Messaging
Optimizing
Client Flow
Reporting
Requirements
• Role: Connecting with younger audience in computer lab
settings, incorporating it into new educational
partnerships.
• Resources: Repeat Business, “once the TP tries FSA, they
generally like it and will do it again. They do just fine.”
• Volunteers: Volunteers complete certification with FSA.
Are patient, encouraging and new to VITA
• Marketing:
Leveragethe
large
emailFSA
withClients
prewritten email
Defining
Other
they distribute.
• Client Flow: Stand alone sites at community colleges
and workforce locations.
• Reporting: Collect your data onsite
• How are you best solving for system efficiencies?
• Do you consider FSA efforts in opposition with VITA?
• Can you use FSA as a tool to improve financial
outcomes?
Defining the Other FSA Clients
MyFreeTaxes FSA Overview
CFED – Exploring Facilitated Self Assistance and
Virtual VITA
September 21, 2016
Agenda
1. What is MyFreeTaxes?
2. What is the MyFreeTaxes Helpline?
3. Where can you use MyFreeTaxes?
4. How can I promote MyFreeTaxes?
5. Frequently Asked Questions
What Is MyFreeTaxes?
• Operating since 2009
• Currently operated by United Way
Worldwide
• Federal and State returns for all 50
states
• Powered by H&R Block
• Facilitated Self Assistance
• MyFreeTaxes Helpline
What is the MyFreeTaxes Helpline?
• VITA Advanced Certified Agents at select United Way 2-1-1 call centers
• Operates January – October 15
• Mon – Sat during main tax season
• For MyFreeTaxes users only (not TaxSlayer VITA questions, etc)
Where can you use MyFreeTaxes?
• VITA sites at kiosks
• Tax fairs, events
• Student centers
• Workplaces
• At home
How can I promote MyFreeTaxes?
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Register for free on the MyFreeTaxes
Partner Portal
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Access promotional materials, program data,
and tools
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Use posters, banners, social media tools
Stay tuned for training webinar
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Will be recorded and saved to Partner Portal
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Count MyFreeTaxes returns under your
VITA grant
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Think of areas underserved by VITA sites
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Think of tech-savvy people who may not
normally come to VITA sites
Frequently Asked Questions
Doesn’t TaxSlayer have an FSA option now?
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Yes but only for on site use. MyFreeTaxes can also be used on site, but is
a great option for remote FSA
Is it really free?
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Yes – for eligible filers, federal and 3 state returns can be filed for free
How many people use MyFreeTaxes?
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196,000 filers in 2016. You can find details for your community on the
Partner Portal
Can only United Ways promote MyFreeTaxes?
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Anyone can promote MyFreeTaxes
Can filers import their data from last year?
• Yes – the H&R Block software can import from prior years
For more information:
• www.MyFreeTaxes.com
• [email protected]
• Matt Aliberti, Director – Impact, United Way Worldwide
• 703-836-7112 x503
• [email protected]
Thank you
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The Food Bank For
New York City
Innovative use of Technology for VITA
Food Bank’s Free Tax Program
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Since program inception in
2002, we have filed tax
returns for more than
600,000 low-income New
Yorkers, and secured over
$1 Billion in tax refunds for
our clients.
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We were able to reach
these numbers assisting filers
through:
– Traditional VITA
– FSA-Facilitated Self Assisted
– Virtual VITA
Program Platforms
Traditional VITA – 72,565
FSA-Facilitated Self Assisted - 8,247
Virtual VITA – 11,343
Food Bank’s FSA Program
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What:
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Who:
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Data (all cumulative) * suggestion use entry portal we use Salesforce
Collect information you need before launching them onto platform
Secure URL
Use home portal (give-away’s – magnets, mouse pad etc.)
Why:
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VITA sites (Large waiting time) *triage the line
Libraries, Community Colleges, Schools,
Creative Partnerships like work force development programs with computer labs
How:
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Computer savvy
mostly younger, Facebook, mobile phone app user
Where:
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Self Preparation, coaching, platforms
One coach many returns, one to many, Lower cost use existing resources
Empowering , don’t give them a fish, teach them how to fish
*What are Challenges
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Not everyone is ready to go onto self-assisted
Data is limited and connectivity to other programs
Food Bank’s Virtual VITA Program
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It’s an innovative model
within the Food Bank’s
VITA Program utilizing
technology to connect
the volunteer and the tax
client.
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The clients are not in the
same location as the
volunteers who actually
prepare the returns.
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This is accomplished by
separating the intake
from preparation site.
2016 Virtual Tax Intake Sites Map
Virtual VITA Growth
Average
Filling Intake Return per
Year
Site
Site
FY12
2
37
FY13
17
104
FY14
41
120
FY15
120
63
FY16
115
99
VITA Site Usage
Year: 2013
Site: Restoration Plaza
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Volume: 1,881
Impact: Local
Virtual VITA Site Usage
Year: 2013
Site: FBNYC Virtual VITA
Location: NYC
Volume: 1,775
Impact: City Wide
What is the Food Bank’s Virtual VITA
Program?
Intake Site
• Commonly located in
neighborhoods where our
client base resides.
• The function is to verify
client’s identity and secure
tax-related information.
• Clients can be screened for
Benefits (SNAP, Health and
Financial Education).
• Information is Uploaded to
a secure Interface where
prep site can access it.
• 115 Virtual Intake Sites in
FY16
What is the Food Bank’s Virtual VITA
Program?
Preparation Site
• Located where there is easy
recruitment of volunteers.
• Certified volunteers interviews
the taxpayer and prepares
the return remotely.
• Information is uploaded back
to the secure interface or by
utilizing secure Email directly
to client.
• 2 Prep sites in FY16
The Preparation Site
Prep Site: Call Within
72hr
Return is
Electronically filed
Intake: 15 Minutes
Authorization: 10 Minutes
OR
Interview and QR
process: 15 Minutes
Intake Site
Virtual VITA Process
Intake
Tax Return
Review & Queue
Interview &
Quality Review
Tax Filer
Authorization &
E-File
•Volunteer verifies Filer identity and performs document readiness, assisting filer if
necessary in completion of IRS Intake F13614-C. Filer signs Virtual Consent F14446
and Tax documents get uploaded to secure interface.
•Virtual Coordinator assigns tax return to a certified preparer. Preparer opens
documents in secure interface and preparers tax return.
•Tax Preparer and QR conducts telephone interview with tax filer to ensure a quality
return was completed. After quality review and filer agrees to accept return, copy
of finalized return is then uploaded to secure interface, or send electronically using
DocuSign if client have internet access.
•Tax filer returns to Network Intake site. Copy of tax return is downloaded and
printed by Intake site volunteer and tax return with e-file authorization form is given
to tax filer to sign. A copy of the signed e-file authorization is uploaded to secure
interface, RETURN IS E-FILED by Virtual Coordinator at preparation site.
Food Bank’s Virtual VITA
Secure Platform
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Security and data Encryption
o Complies and exceeds IRS
minimal required of user
authentication with password,
128-bit encryption, and audit trail
capability
o Secure document upload
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Secure E-Signature
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DocuSign integration
Different Level user accounts
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Project Administrator
Site Coordinator
Quality Reviewer
Tax Preparer
Intake Volunteer
Food Bank’s Virtual VITA
Secure Platform
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Benefit Screening capable
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Data collection
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Custom reporting
Dashboard Creation
Multi tax year capable
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Basic screening
Advanced screening
Multi service screening
Client Relationship keeps records
of prior year filings
Case management features
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Status indicator on return progress
Call log and case diary notes
Case updates alerts and follow
up Queues
In Person VITA
Pros
Cons
Virtual
• Face to face
• No long lines
• Time flexible
• Cost effective
• Expanded service area
• Easy set up
• Long waiting lines
• Not everywhere
• Costly operation
• Partner's capacity
• # Volunteers & staff
• Client’s trust
• Coordination
• May require 2 visits to
site
• Authorization form
• Walk out with return
• Certified staff on site
• Multiple benefit access
• Volume per site is
greater
Thank You
German Tejeda
Vice President for Anti-Poverty Programming
[email protected]
Alternative Filing Methods Presentation
Stakeholder Partnerships. Education and
Communication (SPEC)
Dan Maier—Acting Chief, SPEC National
Partnerships
September 21, 2016
Why it’s important:
• Potential market for volunteer tax services is
substantial:
• Volunteer returns prepared through direct
assistance model:
o 3.6 million taxpayers received direct assistance (including
FSA, 3.8 million overall)
• Preference for VITA services:
o 19 Million taxpayers would use these services
o Based on IRS “Benchmark” Survey
• Provides an opportunity for financial
education by teaching taxpayers about return
preparation (Facilitated Self Assistance)
Expanding Access:
• FSA (Facilitated Self Assistance)
• Virtual VITA/TCE
Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA) Benefits:
For sites:
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Prepare more returns
Target more taxpayers with complex returns for direct help
Reduce wait times during peak
Provide taxpayers with a choice of service
Returns counted towards site total
Federal and state returns are free
For taxpayers:
• Leverage current computer skills
• Access to brand-name tax software
• Ability to consult with a certified VITA volunteer for
questions
• Increased knowledge about their return
• Increased confidence upon completion of return
• First step towards self-sufficiency in return filing
FSA Partners:
• SPEC works with a number of software providers to offer free
federal and state tax prep and e-filing (note: offers vary by
provider, based on income, state of residence, etc.):
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Benefit Bank
H&R Block Free File
Military OneSource
MyFreeTaxes.com
OnLine Taxes (OLT)
TaxAct
TurboTax Freedom Edition
• In 2017, TaxSlayer will also offer an FSA product available inperson at select VITA/TCE sites across the country (in
addition to their traditional VITA/TCE software)
Virtual VITA/TCE:
• Allows partners to expand access to hard-toreach areas
• Outgrowth of Rural Initiative
• Allows sites to utilize volunteers more efficiently
• Shares documents/information using virtual
means
• Taxpayer consents via Form 14446
• Utilize Publication 4299 regarding info sharing
SPEC’s Role:
• Provide counts for Alternative Filing
Methods programs to partners
• Provide program oversight/support
Questions?
Dan Maier
[email protected]
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