VITA Volunteer Newsletter

Week of January 29th, 2022

Your weekly resource for tax tips, important dates, and other news of note

from the VITA staff!

Tax Updates

Volunteer Ramp-Up

Opening Day for many VITA sites is next week!

At the United Way office, we are starting to receive more inquiries from taxpayers interested in how they can file online or in-person. Community members can learn more about filing online or in-person (including scheduling an appointment) on our main VITA page: https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/

We appreciate the work that all of you are putting in to be ready to serve them! Some notes for this week...

General Notes

Site Assignments: Site Coordinators are currently reaching out to volunteers assigned to their teams. If you have uploaded your 13615 (volunteer service agreements/exam certification) but still haven't heard from your site coordinator, you should hear from them soon via email to confirm where and when you have been placed, as well as details specific to your team and location. In-person sites will be opening on different days between 1/31 and mid February.
GetYourRefund Hub Invite: For volunteers working remotely or with Valet VITA, watch for an email about setting up your account early next week. If you haven't received anything by Wednesday 2/2, let us know.
TaxSlayer: All volunteers who have uploaded their 13615 (through Thinkific for new volunteers, through the JotForm link for returning volunteers) should receive an email to set up their TaxSlayer account early next week. If you haven't received anything by Wednesday 2/2, let us know.

Here are some past notes that may still be relevant, depending on where you are in your certification process-

New Volunteers

Thinkific: All new volunteers should have received access to our new online pilot training platform, Thinkific, last Friday 1/14. You will receive an email from the address 'noreply@notify.thinkific.com' with the subject line 'Welcome to United Way of Tucson.' When you receive that email, use the links to set up your password, sign in, and get started. If you are missing the email, let us know at vita@unitedwaytucson.org. Note that the Thinkific modules include directions for uploading your 13615 document (which includes your volunteer agreements and proof of certification exam(s)), accessing the TaxSlayer Practice Lab, and the GetYour Refund Demo Hub.

Site Preference: If you did not already let us know where you would like to serve this year when you uploaded your Thinkific docs, please email vita@unitedwaytucson.org with your preference. Note that Ward 3, Goodwill, PCC, and ICS are closed to any more signups.

Returning Volunteers

Certification Exams: Plan to complete your certification tests before your first day of volunteering. Returning volunteers can also find login instructions for the TaxSlayer PracticeLab on VITALinks (under Training Resources). As for the exam, returning volunteers can find it via VITALinks (Link & Learn Certification Portal, under Training Resources). Once exams are completed, please upload your 13615 agreement, which notes certification(s), here - https://form.jotform.com/220136964372052

Thinkific: Surprise! We ended up giving all volunteers access to the Thinkific online pilot program. Returning volunteers are welcome, but not required, to explore and use the trainings. Note that Thinkific includes information about the Hub and TaxSlayer PraticeLab if that might be helpful.

Tax Updates: If you missed the session about tax law updates in early January, catch up here:

Calendar

Online Study Sessions

Have questions as you work through the Thinkific training or certification exams?

Our team and volunteers will be available via this Zoom link (https://unitedwaytucson.zoom.us/s/9403467595) at the following times for you to drop-in and work through tax questions (*= newly added session!):

Saturday 1/29

8-10am

You are also welcome to email questions to vita@unitedwaytucson.org if you can't make a study session.

Monday 1/31

VITA Opening Day!

Each site will have a different opening day and time

Volunteer Resources

VITALinks has long been our primary webpage for volunteer tax resources - it's your one-stop reference for tax preparation guides and tools. Resources will be added to VITALinks as the tax season gets going - check out the following links in the meantime:

VITALinks: https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/links/ (still has many resources from last year - will be updated soon!)
4012 - VITA/TCE Resource Guide for 2021 Returns (digital copy)
6744 - Volunteer Assistor's Test/Retest for 2021 Returns (digital copy)
4491 - Volunteer Training Guide for 2021 (digital copy)

Note for Remote Volunteers

Do you have everything you need to ensure a productive volunteer experience? Your VITA Team wants to set you up for success, so we are offering equipment rentals for remote volunteers. Please use this link to order the necessary equipment such as laptops, headsets, monitors or hotspots: https://forms.office.com/r/dBceGyWERV

Once complete you will be given a link to schedule an appointment to pick up. Pickup hours are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10am – 3pm. If this window doesn't work, please make a note and we will respond in a timely manner to make other arrangements.

United Way of Tucson Updates

United Way of Tucson is working to build a thriving community by uniting people, ideas, and resources. We envision a community where every child receives a high-quality education from birth to career, every adult has the opportunity to thrive financially and in the workplace and every older person can retire and age with dignity and independence. From birth to career, career to retirement, and retirement to end of life, United Way supports the well-being and success of every person in Southern Arizona.

Community Tax Presentations

Our Financial Wellness Department works with a variety of local nonprofits offering financial education and financial coaching programs for low-income adults and families. Many local programs seek volunteers to lead 1-2 hour presentations, either in-person or remotely via Zoom, about the importance of filing taxes and how to access VITA services. Past VITA volunteers have helped us build out slides that are ready to go - slides are available in English and Spanish.

Interested in offering your time as a tax presenter for one of our partner programs? Contact Lisa Floran, Senior Director of Financial Wellness Initiatives if you would like to talk about volunteering for some of these opportunities! lfloran@unitedwaytucson.org

Questions, comments, or feedback?

Contact the VITA team:

vita@unitedwaytucson.org

https://unitedwaytucson.org/vita/