Getting
Started
This training resource is primarily
intended to supplement the formal training offered free to Volunteer RSVP
Tax Counselors and AARP Tax Volunteers. The focus of this training will be only on Tax Forms
for which the RSVP and AARP Volunteers are approved to provide assistance
(see list at the end of this page).
Volunteers are approved to provide client assistance after passing
the Test or Retest, links to these tests are provided on the Training
page of this site.
Saving Files for Training
In your “My Documents” directory
create a new sub-directory titled “Tax Training.” In the Tax Training directory
create the following subdirectories: Text and References, Fill-In Forms,
Practice Returns, Completed Home Work, Current Home Work, and Study
Guide. Download, from this
website, the appropriate documents into each of the non-Home Work
directories.
Information Needed for Preparing Your Taxes
Social
security numbers and birth dates for you, your spouse, your children and
any other people you support. Entering the correct SSN is critical.
Forms W-2 for all jobs you or
your spouse held during the year.
Child care expenses
Medical expenses
Moving expenses
Job related expenses
Alimony paid or received
Multiple support agreements
Unemployment income, retirement income,
social security benefits received, and tax refunds
Mortgage interest paid (if you
own a home)
Charitable contributions of cash
and property
Federal, state and local taxes
paid
Forms 1099 for interest and
dividends received from banks, mutual funds, and companies you own stock.
Interest and dividend income
received by your child under age 14.
Income and expenses from you own
business or odd jobs
Income and expenses from rental
and royalty property you own
Sale and purchase records for any
stock or other property you sold during the current Tax Year
Student loan interest and
education expenses
Casualty and theft losses
Payment made to household
employees
Correct Bank routing transit
numbers and deposit account numbers if you want any refund directly deposited
to your account (your bank can provide you with this information.)
Starting Your Training
The more comprehensive 1040
Federal Tax form is used for training purposes but there are practice
returns included for the 1040A and the 1040EZ forms. It is recommended that you only
try to complete one class at a time. It will require approximately 3 hours for each
class. Training consists of
reading the Text Book and doing the included problems and examples,
reading the 1040 instruction booklet reading Publication 17 (Pub17),
using the Quick Reference Guide and doing Practice Return 1. The 2002 Test and Retest are
included for you to practice with.
These tests are open book tests and are not timed. The answers for the practice
tests have been included. After completing the training and passing the current
year’s test, volunteers are expected to be able to complete a client’s
tax return, like Practice Return 1, in about one hour while the client
waits.
Begin your training by clicking on
the Study Guide link and then on the First Class link.
Tax Forms And Schedules That Can Be Prepared
By RSVP Tax Aide Counselors
Tax Assistance Counselors under
the AARP/RSVP program are only allowed to prepare those tax forms for
which they have received training. If a form other than those listed is
prepared, there should be no TCE or Site Number indicated on the forms.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS
Form
1040EZ
Schedule
1 (Form 1040A) Interest and Dividend Income
Schedule 2 (Form 1040A) Child & Dependent Care
Schedule 3 (Form 1040A) Credit for Elderly and Disabled
Schedule EIC (Form 1040A or 1040) Earned Income Credit
Form
1040A
Schedule
A Itemized Deductions
Schedule B Interest & Dividend Income
Form
1040
Schedule
C-EZ Net Profit from Business
Schedule SE Self-Employment Tax
Schedule D Capital Gains and Losses
Schedule R Credit for the Elderly and Disabled
Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care
Form 1040-ES Estimated Tax
Form 8812 (1040A or 1040) Additional Child Tax Credit
Form 8863 Education Credits
CALIFORNIA STATE INCOME TAX RETURNS
Form
540 2EZ
Form 540 A
Form 540
Schedule
CA (540) California Adjustments
Form 540 ES Estimated Tax
Form 540X Follow instructions for IRS Form 1040X (below)
ADVISE THE TAXPAYER TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL TAX
ASSISTANCE
FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):
Nondeductible
IRA contributions
Form
4562 Depreciation and Amortization
Form
4797 Sale of Business Property. Form 1040, Line 14
Form
1040, Line 17,Schedule E. Income from rents, royalties,
partnerships, S Corporations, estates, trusts, REMICs.
Form
1040, Line 18, Schedule F, Farm Income.
Wash
Sales
Form
2106, Employee Business Expenses
Form
2210, Part IV, Section A. Underpayment of Estimated Tax. IRS will compute
tax penalty and bill the taxpayer.
Form 1040X. (If an Amended return is required as a result of an error
made by one of our Counselors, have an experienced counselor help you.)
Form 1040, Schedule C. Profit or Loss from Business
Forms RSVP Prepares
1/9/02
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