REQUIRED Self-Study: Volunteer Standards of Conduct and Intake Interview and Quality Review
New volunteers will review this material after their first in-person  class (and ideally before the third in-person class)
Returning volunteers review the materials at any time

• REQUIRED for all volunteers: Pub. 4961, VITA/TCE VSC – Ethics Training (or In Spanish)

• REQUIRED for all except optional for Greeters: Pub. 5101, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Training (or in Spanish ) OR video

Video Series:  Introduction to Tax Law Webinar series (2026 season link coming soon) (approx. 1 hour, self-directed watch modules 1-5) 

Mandatory for new preparers and encouraged for Client Navigators and anyone who wants a review. New volunteers are required to watch this overview before attending “Tax Fundamentals and Additional Topics.” 

01 Tax Fundamentals and Additional Topics (Tax Law) (4.0  hours, in-person)

Watch the “Introduction to Tax Law” video series before attending this session. We take a deeper dive into the tax law topics that were covered in the introductory videos. We also discuss tax prep resources, the certification exam, and tax site processes. 

02 Applied Skills (4.0 hours, in-person)

This class focuses on the critical taxpayer interview and practicing applying tax law. We will review tax return scenarios and prepare returns in the TaxSlayer software. Tax preparation scenarios focus on different types of income, adjustments, credits, and pensions. 

03 Scenario Review (4.0 hours, in-person)

We review additional taxpayer scenarios to get ready for taking the IRS tax law exam. We will also have additional practice completing practice returns in TaxSlayer.

State Overview, Intake and Exit (2.5 hours, Zoom or recorded)

This class covers the basics of preparing a simple state tax return for DC, MD or VA. We also cover the tax preparation process from the time the client arrives at a tax site to signing their tax returns focusing on CTA intake and exit procedures. A recording will be made available after the last Zoom session for on-demand viewing. 

Required: Returning Preparer A&B

Required for ALL returning preparers, reviewers, and site coordinators who give tax law advice, review, prepare or efile. This class will cover what’s new for federal, DC, MD, and VA and a year-to-year comparison of major tax law changes. We will cover important TaxSlayer and site process topics, review intake documents and preparer tools and resources, and preapare a sample return. 

Optional: Getting to Advanced: 

The Advanced Topics class covers additional topics covered on the Advanced Certification test that are not on the Basic exam. The class combines TaxSlayer preparation scenarios and brief tax law segments. Class materials will be available for volunteers wishing to take this class as self-study. Strongly suggested for returning preparers who did not previously take the Advanced Certification. All returning volunteers are encouraged to certify at the Advanced level.

Specific topics covered (just enough to take the Advanced Exam):

• Determining the scope and entering Cancellation of Debt (COD) income

• Reconciling Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC)

• Pensions with taxable amounts unknown

• Capital Gains (broker statements)

• HSA (Health Savings Accounts)

• Self Employment with emphasis on RideShare

Optional: Challenging Topics: (available as Zoom and as a recording after the last Zoom class)
Classes will cover tax law and include the preparation of practice returns and take a deep dive into these topics:

• Self-Employment including rideshare/gig economy workers (3.0 hours)

• Retirement with amount unknown, disability pensions, disability income and state issues (2.5 hours)

• Education Credits (2.5 hours)
  
  

Strongly Recommended: State Topics for Returning Volunteers (3 hours)

• (live or via recording) This class will take a deeper look at the sate return issues seen at our tax sites including: multi-state returns, non-resident taxation of gambling winnings in VA and MD, taking credit for taxes paid to another state when income is taxes in 2 states as well as DC Schedule H, MD renter and homeowner credits, special retirement income rules in MD, VA and DC and more. 

Strongly Recommended: One Big Beautiful Bill

• More in-depth coverage of the parts of the new law most likely to affect our clients and practical intake and tax preparation guidance. 

Required: Returning Preparer A&B

Required for ALL returning preparers, reviewers, and site coordinators who give tax law advice, review, prepare or efile. This class will cover what’s new for federal, DC, MD, and VA and a year-to-year comparison of major tax law changes. We will cover important TaxSlayer and site process topics, review intake documents and preparer tools and resources, and preapare a sample return. 

Quality Review Essentials (4.0 hours)

Required for NEW quality reviewers. This class will provide training on how to review tax returns for accuracy. We discuss strategies for discussing errors with volunteers to help them improve as preparers. The class will involve practice returns to review and scenarios involving volunteers and taxpayers. You will review and correct practice returns. Students will learn IRS review, quality and privacy requirements, as well as site review procedures and best practices.

Self-Study: 

Quality review section of Publication 5838: VITA/TCE Intake/Interview and  Quality Review Handbook

Site Coordinator (2.5 hours) (virtual)

Required for Site Coordinators. This class covers tax site procedures and best practices, including managing taxpayers and volunteers. Class covers mandatory IRS Site Coordinator training including compliance with IRS Quality Site Requirements. Review of reference materials available at tax sites, and other materials available to Site Coordinators and discussion of site procedures and reporting requirements during tax season. Class(es) will be scheduled based on Site Coordinator availability.

Required: One Big Beautiful Bill

• More in-depth coverage of the parts of the new law most likely to affect our clients and practical intake and tax preparation guidance. 

Strongly Recommended: State Topics for Returning Preparers (3 hours)

• (live or via recording) This class will take a deeper look at the sate return issues seen at our tax sites including: multi-state returns, non-resident taxation of gambling winnings in VA and MD, taking credit for taxes paid to another state when income is taxes in 2 states as well as DC Schedule H, MD renter and homeowner credits, special retirement income rules in MD, VA and DC and more.  

Returning Volunteer classes as outlined above.

Intake Processes/GYR (2.0 hours)

We will discuss/demonstrate working with the GYR system and requirements for the 2025 filing season.