Who We Are Our mission at CFED is to make it - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Our mission at CFED is to make it possible for millions of people to achieve financial security and contribute to an

• pportunity

economy.

Who We Are

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.

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

Words to describe Ideal Client

• Regular access/use of email
• Simple return
• Young
• Tech savvy or tech

comfortable

• Someone who shops online

Characteristics of Ideal Clients

• Young (Age 20-35)
• W-2 Income
• Single Filers
• Claiming EITC and CTC
• 1st time filers
• College students

Defining Ideal FSA Clients

Defining the Other FSA Clients

• 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

• Clients starting on another platform but unable to

finish

Role of FSA Resources Required Volunteer Recruiting & Training Marketing & Messaging Optimizing Client Flow Reporting Requirements

Defining the Other FSA Clients

• 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: Leverage large email with prewritten email

they distribute.

• Client Flow: Stand alone sites at community colleges

and workforce locations.

• Reporting: Collect your data onsite

Defining the Other FSA Clients

• 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
• utcomes?

September 21, 2016

MyFreeTaxes FSA Overview

CFED – Exploring Facilitated Self Assistance and Virtual VITA

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?

• Register for free on the MyFreeTaxes

Partner Portal

• Access promotional materials, program data,

and tools

• Use posters, banners, social media tools
• Stay tuned for training webinar
• Will be recorded and saved to Partner Portal
• Count MyFreeTaxes returns under your

VITA grant

• Think of areas underserved by VITA sites
• Think of tech-savvy people who may not

normally come to VITA sites

Frequently Asked Questions

Doesn’t TaxSlayer have an FSA option now?

• 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?

• Yes – for eligible filers, federal and 3 state returns can be filed for free

How many people use MyFreeTaxes?

• 196,000 filers in 2016. You can find details for your community on the

Partner Portal Can only United Ways promote MyFreeTaxes?

• 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
• partners@myfreetaxes.com
• Matt Aliberti, Director – Impact, United Way Worldwide
• 703-836-7112 x503
• Matthew.Aliberti@uww.unitedway.org

Thank you

The Food Bank For New York City

Innovative use of Technology for VITA

Food Bank’s Free T ax Program

• 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

• ur clients.
• 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

• What:

– Self Preparation, coaching, platforms

• Who:

– Computer savvy – mostly younger, Facebook, mobile phone app user

• Where:

– VITA sites (Large waiting time) *triage the line – Libraries, Community Colleges, Schools, – Creative Partnerships like work force development programs with computer labs

• How:

– 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:

– 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

– Not everyone is ready to go onto self-assisted – Data is limited and connectivity to other programs

Food Bank’s Virtual VIT A Program

• It’s an innovative model

within the Food Bank’s VITA Program utilizing technology to connect the volunteer and the tax client.

• The clients are not in the

same location as the volunteers who actually prepare the returns.

• This is accomplished by

separating the intake from preparation site.

2016 Virtual Tax Intake Sites Map

Virtual VITA Growth

Filling Year Intake Site Average Return per 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 VIT A 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 VIT A 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

Intake: 15 Minutes

Prep Site: Call Within 72hr

Interview and QR process: 15 Minutes Authorization: 10 Minutes Return is Electronically filed

Intake Site

OR

Virtual VIT A Process

Intake

• 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.

Tax Return Review & Queue

• Virtual Coordinator assigns tax return to a certified preparer. Preparer opens

documents in secure interface and preparers tax return.

Interview & Quality Review

• 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

• f finalized return is then uploaded to secure interface, or send electronically using

DocuSign if client have internet access.

Tax Filer Authorization & E-File

• 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

• Security and data Encryption
• Complies and exceeds IRS

minimal required of user authentication with password, 128-bit encryption, and audit trail capability

• Secure document upload
• Secure E-Signature
• DocuSign integration
• Different Level user accounts
• Project Administrator
• Site Coordinator
• Quality Reviewer
• Tax Preparer
• Intake Volunteer

Food Bank’s Virtual VITA Secure Platform

• Benefit Screening capable
• Basic screening
• Advanced screening
• Multi service screening
• Data collection
• Custom reporting
• Dashboard Creation
• Multi tax year capable
• Client Relationship keeps records
• f prior year filings
• Case management features
• Status indicator on return progress
• Call log and case diary notes
• Case updates alerts and follow

up Queues

Pros Cons

In Person VITA Virtual

• Face to face
• Walk out with return
• Certified staff on site
• Multiple benefit access
• Volume per site is

greater

• Client’s trust
• Coordination
• May require 2 visits to

site

• Authorization form
• Long waiting lines
• Not everywhere
• Costly operation
• Partner's capacity
• # Volunteers & staff
• No long lines
• Time flexible
• Cost effective
• Expanded service area
• Easy set up

Thank You

German Tejeda Vice President for Anti-Poverty Programming Gtejeda@foodbanknyc.org

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:

• 3.6 million taxpayers received direct assistance (including

FSA, 3.8 million overall)

• Preference for VITA services:
• 19 Million taxpayers would use these services
• 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:

• 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.):

• 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 in-

person 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-to-

reach 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 Daniel.F.Maier@irs.gov