Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Last Minute Tax Help on April 15, 2010
Low-income, limited English speaking, elderly and disabled taxpayers will have the opportunity to get help in filing their tax returns at VITA at MILPITAS PUBLIC LIBRARY on April 15, 2010.
IRS-Certified VITA Volunteer Tax Preparers will be on hand to help you prepare and file your income tax returns.
If your return is postmarked or electronically transmitted by Midnight on the night of April 15, 2010, the return is considered to be filed in a timely fashion.
If you are unable to file by that time because of missing information, we can help you get an automatic 6-month extension to file your return, but since the official season is over, there is no guarantee that we will be able to file your return later.
If you owe taxes to the IRS and the California FTB, payment must be made by April 15, 2010 to avoid any interest or late payment penalties, so making an estimated payment of the amount owing with the extension will be helpful in avoiding interest due or penalties for late filing.
Making a payment and filing a return are 2 different things. You can file the return separately from making the payment or together if you wish. This means that even if you owe money and cannot pay immediately, it is still a good idea to file the return and then make arrangements for payment after April 15.
Please note that this service is for people who are unable to prepare their returns. High income taxpayers are advised to take their returns to a paid preparer or use one of the other methods of free filing if you wish. That information is available on the internet, and we will not be able to help you to obtain that.
VITA requirements dictate that we not file returns with Schedule C, rental income, Capital Gain and loss on sale of stocks, and partnership K-1 statements. In addition, we are unable to file for Married Filing Separate returns. We will not prepare Schedule C, Schedule D or Schedule E, but we can help with Schedule A and B so long as they are within scope.
Please be sure to have your picture id and Social Security Card with you, in addition to all W-2s, 1099 forms, and statements for any taxes you have paid. Also, please make sure that the paperwork is correct. We expect large crowds, and will help people who are ready with all their information rather than those who do not bring their complete records.
If you were paid a salary, please bring the W-2s issued by your employer. We cannot and will not work with pay stubs, and will not engage in any discussion about why we should or should not do that.
We will attempt to electronically transmit all returns prepared before the library closes at 9:00 pm. If we cannot complete your return by then, we will just not be able to file it, but can direct you to the forms and information that is within the library.
The volunteers are unpaid, and willing to provide this service out of the kindness of their hearts. They are not CPAs, accountants or Enrolled Agents, and they are not IRS employees so please do not expect them to answer your complicated questions, check whether you know how to fill your forms or follow instructions or your ability to do arithmetic. They do not make the tax rules, and since the important measure is how many returns are filed electronically, we will attempt to do the simplest and most straightforward returns first, then followed by first come first served. If you want to argue about the unfairness of this rule, you will be told to leave. We do not need any further disruption in addition to the existing chaos and tensions that typically exist on the last day of the filing season.
Although volunteers have other things that keep them busy during the day, most have committed to coming at 6:00 pm. If more volunteers who can make it before that time, we may start earlier. The sign-up list will be available at 5:00 pm or earlier, and we will go down the list in that order. Please make sure that your name is legible and remember the your number. Signing up and then disappearing will not preserve your place in the list. If you do not respond when your name is called, we will not wait for you or hold your place. If you respond and are waiting for someone else, you will be put at the back of the list. If you need to step out for a short bathroom break, please let the person in charge know.
The taxpayer MUST be present. If there is a person there to help translate, that is fine, but we will not permit the whole family to sit around asking and answering questions. In the case of Married Filing Joint, both must be there to sign the authorization to efile.
The primary service provided is the electronic filing of returns. If you have any income at all, we will be glad to file your return for you. We will not determine whether or not you need to file, we will not answer any general or hypothetical questions you may have, and we will not debate the fairness or unfairneass of the tax laws. We will ask the questions to file your return, and will only answer your questions if they relate to the tax return we are preparing.
IRS-Certified VITA Volunteer Tax Preparers will be on hand to help you prepare and file your income tax returns.
If your return is postmarked or electronically transmitted by Midnight on the night of April 15, 2010, the return is considered to be filed in a timely fashion.
If you are unable to file by that time because of missing information, we can help you get an automatic 6-month extension to file your return, but since the official season is over, there is no guarantee that we will be able to file your return later.
If you owe taxes to the IRS and the California FTB, payment must be made by April 15, 2010 to avoid any interest or late payment penalties, so making an estimated payment of the amount owing with the extension will be helpful in avoiding interest due or penalties for late filing.
Making a payment and filing a return are 2 different things. You can file the return separately from making the payment or together if you wish. This means that even if you owe money and cannot pay immediately, it is still a good idea to file the return and then make arrangements for payment after April 15.
Please note that this service is for people who are unable to prepare their returns. High income taxpayers are advised to take their returns to a paid preparer or use one of the other methods of free filing if you wish. That information is available on the internet, and we will not be able to help you to obtain that.
VITA requirements dictate that we not file returns with Schedule C, rental income, Capital Gain and loss on sale of stocks, and partnership K-1 statements. In addition, we are unable to file for Married Filing Separate returns. We will not prepare Schedule C, Schedule D or Schedule E, but we can help with Schedule A and B so long as they are within scope.
Please be sure to have your picture id and Social Security Card with you, in addition to all W-2s, 1099 forms, and statements for any taxes you have paid. Also, please make sure that the paperwork is correct. We expect large crowds, and will help people who are ready with all their information rather than those who do not bring their complete records.
If you were paid a salary, please bring the W-2s issued by your employer. We cannot and will not work with pay stubs, and will not engage in any discussion about why we should or should not do that.
We will attempt to electronically transmit all returns prepared before the library closes at 9:00 pm. If we cannot complete your return by then, we will just not be able to file it, but can direct you to the forms and information that is within the library.
The volunteers are unpaid, and willing to provide this service out of the kindness of their hearts. They are not CPAs, accountants or Enrolled Agents, and they are not IRS employees so please do not expect them to answer your complicated questions, check whether you know how to fill your forms or follow instructions or your ability to do arithmetic. They do not make the tax rules, and since the important measure is how many returns are filed electronically, we will attempt to do the simplest and most straightforward returns first, then followed by first come first served. If you want to argue about the unfairness of this rule, you will be told to leave. We do not need any further disruption in addition to the existing chaos and tensions that typically exist on the last day of the filing season.
Although volunteers have other things that keep them busy during the day, most have committed to coming at 6:00 pm. If more volunteers who can make it before that time, we may start earlier. The sign-up list will be available at 5:00 pm or earlier, and we will go down the list in that order. Please make sure that your name is legible and remember the your number. Signing up and then disappearing will not preserve your place in the list. If you do not respond when your name is called, we will not wait for you or hold your place. If you respond and are waiting for someone else, you will be put at the back of the list. If you need to step out for a short bathroom break, please let the person in charge know.
The taxpayer MUST be present. If there is a person there to help translate, that is fine, but we will not permit the whole family to sit around asking and answering questions. In the case of Married Filing Joint, both must be there to sign the authorization to efile.
The primary service provided is the electronic filing of returns. If you have any income at all, we will be glad to file your return for you. We will not determine whether or not you need to file, we will not answer any general or hypothetical questions you may have, and we will not debate the fairness or unfairneass of the tax laws. We will ask the questions to file your return, and will only answer your questions if they relate to the tax return we are preparing.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
How Microsoft Products helped our site.
Use of Microsoft Products to improve our processes and effectiveness is described on the Show Your Impact website. Thanks to Friends of Bolivia, Inc whose support helped us in this endeavor. The entry is part of the "Show Your Impact" competition whose results will be announced on June 26, 2009 and describes how we used Windows SharePoint Services to create an internal website which provided information resources at the fingertips and the desktops of the volunteers.
Read the description at the Show your Impact website
Friday, May 8, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Report on April 15, 2009 Special Tax Preparation Session
7 volunteers at VITA @ Milpitas Public Library prepared 16 returns and 1 extension on April 15, 2009 from 5:00pm-8:30pm. Envelopes, postage and personal pickup provided by United Way saved Taxpayers from the last minute trip to the post office to mail their completed returns before the midnight deadline. Because of broad publicity, ABC affiliate KGO-7 was present to interview taxpayers and filmed volunteers helping taxpayer which was televised on the 11 o'clock news.
We could not help several taxpayers because their returns were out of scope. One of them was for Option Exercise income, a second with a large 1099-Misc income, and a third without a W-2, but only a final paystub. We also distributed tax forms, including some that were not commonly used and had to be printed off from a tax forms database.
One special service we provided was explaining why it was important to file the return before the deadline, and the different options for making payments. It appeared that the lowest cost option was requesting a short term textnsion of time to pay.
We could not help several taxpayers because their returns were out of scope. One of them was for Option Exercise income, a second with a large 1099-Misc income, and a third without a W-2, but only a final paystub. We also distributed tax forms, including some that were not commonly used and had to be printed off from a tax forms database.
One special service we provided was explaining why it was important to file the return before the deadline, and the different options for making payments. It appeared that the lowest cost option was requesting a short term textnsion of time to pay.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Special April 15, 2009 session
There will be an additional tax preparation session of VITA @ Milpitas Public Library on the last day of the tax season to provide last minute help.
Since it is a weekday, we do not have the full strength of available volunteers. To get returns completed and on their way by midnight April 15, 2009, we will focus on preparing extensions and simple returns, and printing off needed tax forms. We will also be able to provide tax forms as needed.
The complexity of returns processed will be limited. Returns with W-2, Social Security Income, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV will be prepared. Returns with 1099-MISC, Schedule C-EZ, Schedule C, Schedule D, and Schedule E will not be prepared. Others may be prepared as time and volunteer availability permits.
Priorities will be to file extensions, simple returns, tax forms, answering questions, and more complex returns in that order. Service times are 5:00 - 8:30 pm as announced in the Milpitas Post of April 9, 2009. (Note that the time of 3:00 - 8:00 pm shown in the San Jose Mercury News announcement is not correct)
While we are glad to file extensions for you, we will not be able to complete your returns at a later date at this site. As in the past years, there will be sites open in Santa Clara County after the season ends, beginning in mid May, to help you get your returns completed. Dates, times and places will be announced on http://www.vita-volunteers.org/ and related blogs.
Since it is a weekday, we do not have the full strength of available volunteers. To get returns completed and on their way by midnight April 15, 2009, we will focus on preparing extensions and simple returns, and printing off needed tax forms. We will also be able to provide tax forms as needed.
The complexity of returns processed will be limited. Returns with W-2, Social Security Income, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV will be prepared. Returns with 1099-MISC, Schedule C-EZ, Schedule C, Schedule D, and Schedule E will not be prepared. Others may be prepared as time and volunteer availability permits.
Priorities will be to file extensions, simple returns, tax forms, answering questions, and more complex returns in that order. Service times are 5:00 - 8:30 pm as announced in the Milpitas Post of April 9, 2009. (Note that the time of 3:00 - 8:00 pm shown in the San Jose Mercury News announcement is not correct)
While we are glad to file extensions for you, we will not be able to complete your returns at a later date at this site. As in the past years, there will be sites open in Santa Clara County after the season ends, beginning in mid May, to help you get your returns completed. Dates, times and places will be announced on http://www.vita-volunteers.org/ and related blogs.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Incorrect opening times for April 15
The information in the following articles in the MercuryNews.com appear to be misprinted. However, since it appears twice, it is misinformation.
To the best of the knowledge of the Site Coordinator in charge of the site and responsibile for helping out taxpayers, the plan is to open from 5pm - 8:30 pm. If you come in expecting to be helped at 3:00 pm, you may have a long wait in front of you.
In the event we are overwhelmed by the demand, in addition to the priority of extensions, simple returns, questions and forms, priority will be given to taxpayers with a Milpitas address.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose IRS to provide curb side service for last-minute filers
Mercury News staff
Posted: 04/12/2009 08:30:56 PM PDT
Updated: 04/12/2009 09:01:55 PM PDT
The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in San Jose will provide special "curbside" forms service for last-minute filers during the remaining days of the tax-filing season. The extra service will help people traveling by car get basic tax forms faster, without paying for parking or waiting in line.
The office is located at 55 South Market St. IRS employees will hand out basic tax forms, including extension requests, to drive-up customers at the loading zone at the back of the building. The loading zone is accessed from San Pedro Street; the nearest cross street is Post Street.
The service will be available on the following days and times:
Today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday from 11 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free tax help also is available at the following IRS community-based partner sites:
Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St. Milpitas. Open Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lundy Post Office, 1750 Lundy Ave., San Jose. Open for "Midnight Madness" on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Original link at: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12129689
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home -> Breaking News
Breaking News
There's still time to get free tax help in your community
Posted:04/10/2009 6:26 PM
By the Mercury News
If you made $42,000 or less last year, there is still time to get free help filing your federal income tax return. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites in your community can prepare and file your return electronically. You can receive your refund in as few as 10 days using e-file and direct deposit.
Community organizations sponsor tax preparation sites where people can receive free tax assistance as part of the VITA and TCE programs. Many sites will be open this weekend and through the April 15 income tax filing deadline. Trained volunteers help ensure people get the tax credits and deductions they are eligible to claim.
Lost jobs or reduced income mean that many people may be eligible for certain tax credits for the first time. For example, the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit is for people who work but who do not earn a lot of money. The EITC adds an extra $2,000 benefit on average. The additional child tax credit and the first-time homebuyer credit are important benefits also affected by a taxpayer's income.
The following IRS community—based partner sites are ready to help people file their tax returns.
Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas. Open Saturday,from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lundy Post Office, 1750 Lundy Ave, San Jose. Open for "Midnight Madness" on Wednesday April 15, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Original Link:
http://m.mercurynews.com/sjm/db_13180/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=96CF254CCFF47FBC3425C26B6844334B?contentguid=LHGW9klb&storycount=14&detailindex=0&full=true
To the best of the knowledge of the Site Coordinator in charge of the site and responsibile for helping out taxpayers, the plan is to open from 5pm - 8:30 pm. If you come in expecting to be helped at 3:00 pm, you may have a long wait in front of you.
In the event we are overwhelmed by the demand, in addition to the priority of extensions, simple returns, questions and forms, priority will be given to taxpayers with a Milpitas address.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
San Jose IRS to provide curb side service for last-minute filers
Mercury News staff
Posted: 04/12/2009 08:30:56 PM PDT
Updated: 04/12/2009 09:01:55 PM PDT
The IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in San Jose will provide special "curbside" forms service for last-minute filers during the remaining days of the tax-filing season. The extra service will help people traveling by car get basic tax forms faster, without paying for parking or waiting in line.
The office is located at 55 South Market St. IRS employees will hand out basic tax forms, including extension requests, to drive-up customers at the loading zone at the back of the building. The loading zone is accessed from San Pedro Street; the nearest cross street is Post Street.
The service will be available on the following days and times:
Today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday from 11 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free tax help also is available at the following IRS community-based partner sites:
Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St. Milpitas. Open Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lundy Post Office, 1750 Lundy Ave., San Jose. Open for "Midnight Madness" on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Original link at: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12129689
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home -> Breaking NewsBreaking News
There's still time to get free tax help in your community
Posted:04/10/2009 6:26 PM
By the Mercury News
If you made $42,000 or less last year, there is still time to get free help filing your federal income tax return. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites in your community can prepare and file your return electronically. You can receive your refund in as few as 10 days using e-file and direct deposit.
Community organizations sponsor tax preparation sites where people can receive free tax assistance as part of the VITA and TCE programs. Many sites will be open this weekend and through the April 15 income tax filing deadline. Trained volunteers help ensure people get the tax credits and deductions they are eligible to claim.
Lost jobs or reduced income mean that many people may be eligible for certain tax credits for the first time. For example, the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit is for people who work but who do not earn a lot of money. The EITC adds an extra $2,000 benefit on average. The additional child tax credit and the first-time homebuyer credit are important benefits also affected by a taxpayer's income.
The following IRS community—based partner sites are ready to help people file their tax returns.
Milpitas Public Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas. Open Saturday,from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Wednesday, April 15, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lundy Post Office, 1750 Lundy Ave, San Jose. Open for "Midnight Madness" on Wednesday April 15, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Original Link:
http://m.mercurynews.com/sjm/db_13180/contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=96CF254CCFF47FBC3425C26B6844334B?contentguid=LHGW9klb&storycount=14&detailindex=0&full=true
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
IRS Super Saturday Session March 21, 2009
In line with the IRS Super Saturday Session, March 21, 2009, VITA @ Milpitas Public Library had the honor of the visit of a SPEC Relationship Manager from the IRS San Jose Office. He was kind enough to bring in several related flyers, and had the pleasure of being introduced to taxpayers and volunteer tax preparers.
Taxpayers who had tough questions for and about the IRS had the opportunity to get the official answers from a real IRS employee, and it provided the site coordinator with an additional resource to deal with the multitude of questions that come up from taxpayers every week.
Taxpayers who had tough questions for and about the IRS had the opportunity to get the official answers from a real IRS employee, and it provided the site coordinator with an additional resource to deal with the multitude of questions that come up from taxpayers every week.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 7, 2009 Session
 |
| From Exported Videos |
An accidental volunteer who willingly helped prepare 9325 acknowledgement forms for taxpayers whose returns have been electronically filed and accepted by the IRS
Monday, March 9, 2009
2009 Economic Recovery Payment
A one-time Economic Recovery Payment of will be made in 2009. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FILE A TAX RETURN TO GET YOUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PAYMENT. Ñ Ifyouarearetiree,disabledindividualora SupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI)recipient,youwill receiveyourEconomicRecoveryPaymentdirectlyfrom theSocialSecurityAdministration. Ñ Ifyoureceivedisabledveteransbenefits,youwill receiveyourEconomicRecoveryPaymentfromthe DepartmentofVeteransAffairs. Ñ IfyoureceiveRailroadRetirementbenefits,youwill receiveyourEconomicRecoveryPaymentfromthe RailroadRetirementBoard. $250 Contacttheagencythatpaysyour benefitformoreinformation. IRS Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov Publication 4751 (3-2009) Catalog Number 52943A
Opening session February 7, 2009
City of Milpitas Vice-Mayor Pete "Primo" McHugh was the guest of honor and was kind enough to declare the filing session open at VITA at MILPITAS PUBLIC LIBRARY on the morning of Saturday February 7, 2009. Vice-Mayor McHugh expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who were there to help people prepare and e-file their tax returns.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Dealing with replacement laptops for TaxWise Desktop
When we get a replacement TaxWise Desktop it comes loaded with several pieces of software, including Adobe 8.xx, TaxWise 2007, and Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Internet Explorer 6.xx
To use it for preparing 2008 returns, the minimum required istallation is TaxWise 2008
together with the latest updates for federal and states and help files.
However, to simplify life with a systematic preparation process for the long run, we found the following to be a reasonable set of things to do:
- Connect laptop by a network cable to a LAN or other network with internet access
- Go to Microsoft Windows update and get the latest updates and patches. If you get errors, read the error message carefully and enable and restart the needed services as recommended, and then let it run. This will take a while, because it will download Service Pack 3 (which is big) and you better have a high speed conection, and then run through and install it.
- If you are used to Internet Explorer 7.xx, go ahead and upgrade that too.
- Install Abode 9.0 from the TaxWise installation disk. You might as well do it now rather than go through the error message telling you to do it later.
- Install TaxWise from the TaxWise CD
- Download the latest updates for federal, state, TaxWise help, and 1040 help
- Start TaxWise and go through the installation process.
- Optionally remove TaxWise 2007. While this is not required or necessary, we have found doing so avoids problems of volunteers accidentally starting a return on TaxWise 2007, wondering why it looks different, and subsequently learning that they used the wrong version of TaxWise. If you subsequently need TaxWise 2007, it can be installed from the TaxWise program disk.
How to provide details on error rejects?
Recently, one of our Relationship managers requested a summary of reasons of rejection. One way is to scratch the head, especially if the rejects are spread out over 3 weeks. Another is to go back and reconstruct how you did this by reviewing the rejected returns which had been accepted.
However, a simple way is to look at all the IRS acknowledgements reports at once. When you select the option with all the reports, TaxWise creates a report with a summary of all the returns accepted and rejected during the period of the reports, and then prints the errors (most of the time) and details on the subsequent pages. The report can be saved to a pdf or Excel xls file, or physically printed out on a printer.
That would also be a good way to obtain help from the Relationship manager if you can't resolve any problems on your own, and will let you check that your records on the number of returns agree with the UTS summary records that the IRS gets.
Any additional thoughts on the matter?
However, a simple way is to look at all the IRS acknowledgements reports at once. When you select the option with all the reports, TaxWise creates a report with a summary of all the returns accepted and rejected during the period of the reports, and then prints the errors (most of the time) and details on the subsequent pages. The report can be saved to a pdf or Excel xls file, or physically printed out on a printer.
That would also be a good way to obtain help from the Relationship manager if you can't resolve any problems on your own, and will let you check that your records on the number of returns agree with the UTS summary records that the IRS gets.
Any additional thoughts on the matter?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)