Alternative Tax Prep Options

This page is devoted as a living resource guide to help update the community tax preparation field stay updated on the resources for your VITA needs in the virtual space. We will be updating these resources as we receive them. 

Please utilize these resources in combination with your other efforts to maximize your nontraditional service delivery model methods.

Drop-Off

You can access the Valet VITA toolkit created by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. In addition, you can access the Valet VITA presentation from the 2018 Prosperity Summit here. 

The TaxSlayer Scanned Document Pilot has been expanded and modified to accommodate the disruptions to traditional VITA program operations due to COVID-19. Please click here to read the initial information on the pilot and if it fits your program. 

Please access Form 14446: Virtual VITA/TCE Consent in your efforts to implement Virtual VITA and Drop-off at your sites. 

Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA)

You can use the following resources dedicated to Facilitated Self Assistance. 

  1. Taxpayer Opportunity Network FSA Portals: You can use these four links to direct your clients to four separate FSA portals with a separate SIDN already created. Each of these four software have different requirements so please keep that in mind. It's a one-click step to get your clients ready to file right away. 
    1. IRS Free File delivered by TaxAct
    2. IRS Free File delivered by TurboTax
    3. IRS Free File delivered by H&R Block
    4. IRS Free File delivered by Online Taxes at OLT.com
  2. The FSA Mini-Toolkit: This guide has a brief rundown to the FSA options as well as how to implement them into your site. They include both program and client-facing materials so you don't want to miss out on this toolkit! 
  3. Updated IRS SPEC Fact Sheet: Check out the most up-to-date IRS SPEC Fact Sheet on the FSA Remote Process! 
  4. Earn It! Keep It! Save It! California FSA Guide: For a more field-based perspective, you can turn to this guide to help get your site set up for customers complete with screenshots and downloadable pdfs. 
  5. IRS Free File Program Delivered by TurboTax Guide: This step-by-step presentation helps guide your clients through using IRS Free File Program Delivered by TurboTax to prepare their return from start to finish. 

If you're confused about what an IRS-approved program structure would look like, you can check out some of our examples below: 

  1. Community Tax Aid | Washington, DC
  2. Louisville Asset Building Coalition | Louisville, KY

Virtual Options

Code for America has partnered with VITA sites to provide a user-friendly VITA locator tool. The tool also has some of the basics to get your clients set up with a secure and fully virtual intake and return process.

  1. Information on the Virtual Intake Pilot: This document will help answer your questions on the project!
  2. Virtual Intake Interest Form: If you're interested in becoming a partner site, please complete this form to help expand the program! 

You can check out the website and explore it to find out more!

Explore the IRS SPEC Fact Sheet on the Virtual VITA/TCE Process for the 2020 Filing Season. There's a lot of insight to help share on the Virtual VITA process and how to implement it at your site! 

Check out the Virtual VITA process compiled by Connecticut Association for Human Services. Approved by their local IRS Relationship Manager, this entirely virtual process using some electronic software to serve clients. Check out their sample process and flyer to find out more! 

Webinars, Presentations and Downloadable Resources

  1. Going Further: The Future Of Expanding Free Tax Preparation Services (hosted at Prosperity Summit 2018) 

  2. Growing Virtually: Extending the Reach of Your Virtual VITA Program! (hosted in August 2017)

  3. Exploring Self-Assistance and Virtual VITA (hosted in September 2016) 

  4. Virtual VITA Process Flow Chart (created for Prosperity Summit 2018)

  5. Drop Off Process Overview (created for Prosperity Summit 2018)

Promotional Messages

  1. COVID-19 Message Template: Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many VITA sites have been forced to close out of abundant caution for their volunteers, site coordinators and clients. Use this word document template to share news of your site closures with your stakeholders while promoting some alternative filing options. 
  2. COVID-19 Email and Social Media Message Templates: These messages promote your site closure from the COVID-19 outbreak as well as other filing options. 
  3. Tax Time Allies: This website will have the tools and resources you can access as a Tax Time Ally to promote VITA and other free tax preparation. 
    1. Tax Time Allies Resources

If you have a tool or resource that you think would be useful to the field, please email us at [email protected].