Training & Certification Overview
Training & Certification Overview
Embedded Files
Important Announcements -->
For AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers use only
For AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers use only
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide creates materials for exclusive use by Tax-Aide volunteers only. All other use is prohibited unless written permission is granted.
Importing NTTC Bookmarks for Training on Your Own PC instructions
FAST FAQs - Your guide to TaxAide questions about filing season readiness. If links are inactive when opened, click the print icon to activate. Once open and active, be sure to click the link for the latest version.
Basic Certification Overview - Basic Tax-Aide scope overview
Enrichment presentation schedule - Open to all instructors, training coordinators, and leaders. Includes links to past presentations and related resources.
Enrichment presentations folder - Contains recordings of enrichment presentations on various topics.
Annual Requirements
Annual Requirements
Volunteers train & certify annually for their assigned position and role using a combination of NTTC Training, IRS Link & Learn, and the TaxSlayer Pro Online (TSO) resources.
Minimum Requirements - All Volunteers
Minimum Requirements - All Volunteers
Client Facilitators and Greeters - may not do taxes nor give tax advice/counseling.
Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSOC) - IRS Pub 4961
Intake/Interview and Quality Review Handbook - IRS Pub 5808
VITA/TCE Volunteer Assistor’s Test/Retest (NTTC Modified) - NTTC Form 6744
Volunteer Portal, Training tab - Learning Management System (LMS)
e-Learning Tax-Aide additional Required Courses for your assigned volunteer position(s)
Online Exam & Certification site - IRS Link and Learn
Complete & submit the required exams (80% or higher) to obtain certification, then
E-sign IRS Form 13615 IRS VITA/TCE Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement, then print & submit to District Coordinator by email.
Tax-Aide Counselors, Instructors, & Quality Reviewers:
Tax-Aide Counselors, Instructors, & Quality Reviewers:
In Addition to the All Volunteers requirements:
Complete the assigned training track for New or Returning Counselors
Self-Study Program Page: Comprehensive independent study program for new and experienced (returning) counselors.
Maine State Taxes Information & Training Resources for Maine specific tax training.
Electronic Return Originators (EROs):
Electronic Return Originators (EROs):
An ERO must be designated for each site in the Volunteer Portal
Local (Site) Coordinator (LC)
Local (Site) Coordinator (LC)
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Local Coordinator (LC) training uses the same IRS-approved Tax-Aide-developed training materials & products as the IRS Site Coordinator (SC) requirements.
IRS Pub 5088 - Site Coordinator Training on IRS.gov
Link & Learn Taxes Certification (LLT), Site/Local Coordinator Test & Certification: Must pass with 80% or higher. Required for Tax-Aide site LCs and shift supervisors.
Form 13615 Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement - VITA/TCE Programs records completion of Site Coordinator Test in LLT
IRS Publication 5683, VITA/TCE Handbook for Partner and Site Coordinators - provides vital information to help LCs and shift supervisors manage their sites before, during, and throughout the tax season.
Note: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Local Coordinator training uses IRS-approved Tax-Aide-developed training materials & products incorporating key messages from IRS Pub 5088 and is certified for use in the Site Coordinator test in LLT.
TaxSlayer Pro Online (TSO) Site Administrators and Customer Portal
TaxSlayer Pro Online (TSO) Site Administrators and Customer Portal
Usually the designated site ERO and/or Local or Shift Coordinator
TaxSlayer Online User Guide - Link to Download page
TaxSlayer Software Configuration Management e-Course
Other courses assigned
District Coordinators
District Coordinators
In addition to the required courses above, you must complete the LMS e-Course First Year District Coordinators, if assigned.
Notes 1. Upon completion of exams & certification, volunteers should electronically sign your Volunteer SOC Agreement IRS Form 13615 in Link & Learn, then download & email it as an attachment OR print and deliver by hand or mail to your LC/DC
Note 2. District Coordinators (DCs) will confirm certification levels and forward a copy to the state Administrative Specialist (ADS) who must retain these on file until the end of the calendar year following the tax year unless otherwise directed by the SMT
Note 3. The Link & Learn Circular 230 Exam is for professional preparers ONLY and is not valid for the Tax-Aide program.
Training Coordinators (TRC) and Instructors
Training Coordinators (TRC) and Instructors
Important Resources
Virtual Google Meet Hosting Limitations
Hosting Google Meet sessions: You MUST use your AARP foundation OR your state's Google Work Space (WS) account, with or without your Chromebook which features:
Calls with up to 500 participants for up to 24 hours.
One-on-one calls for up to 24 hours.
If you use a personal Google account, you are limited to:
Calls with 3 or more participants for up to 60 minutes.
One-on-one calls for up to 24 hours.
At 50 minutes, everyone receives a chime and message notification that the call is about to end. To extend the call, the host can upgrade their Google account. Otherwise, the call will automatically end at 60 minutes.
Additional VITA/TCE Training Material
Additional VITA/TCE Training Material
https://www.vitaresources.net is an excellent resource for additional VITA/TCE program training materials, resources, references, and links. Use it ONLY in addition to the Tax-Aide resources for more training. It's a great way to further practice for the Link & Learn Testing and Certification.
Thanks to Mary Meador, Site Administrator for diligently maintaining this awesome resource.
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