2016 Tax Season Training Schedule

2016 Tax Season Training Schedule

TABLE OF CONTENTS Registering for Training 2 Training Materials 2 Front Desk Manager Training 2 C.A.S.H. Advisor Training 3 Tax Preparer Training 4 Basic Tax Training Flow Chart (New Volunteers) 5 Advanced Tax Training Flow Chart (Returning Volunteers) 6 Basic Tax Prep Training Options 7 8 Advanced Tax Training Options 9 11 Practice/Test Sessions 12 Optional Trainings for Returning Volunteers ONLY 13 Health Savings Account 13 Unique Topics 13 Additional Information for Tax Preparers 13 Map: United Way/Red Cross 14 Map: MCC Brighton Campus 15 Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 1

REGISTERING FOR TRAINING All volunteers need to be registered on www.cash.volunteerhub.com to sign up for trainings. If you need assistance registering on the Volunteer Hub website, please contact Tracy Merlau at 585 295 5733 or tmerlau@empirejustice.org. TRAINING MATERIALS Available online: www.empirejustice.org/cash/cash training center/. Hard copies will be provided during training. FRONT DESK MANAGER (FDM) TRAINING Register for classes online via www.cash.volunteerhub.com. Trainings are located at the United Way, 75 College Ave, 14607* FRONT DESK MANAGER Attendance is required for all FDMs (new and returning). Choose one class to attend. FDM 1 Sat, Jan 9, 2016 12:30 pm 3:00 pm FDM 2 Tue, Jan 12, 2016 5:30 pm 8:00 pm FDM 3 Mon, Jan 18, 2016 9:00 am 11:30 am FDM 4 Sat, Jan 23, 2016 10:00 am 12:30 pm FDM 5 Tue, Jan 26, 2016 5:30 pm 8:00 pm CA/FDM Overview OPTIONAL class for returning volunteers, class will cover a more in depth review of the roles of FDM and CA and how they fit into the tax preparation part of the CASH process. CA/FDM Overview (Choose one class) Mon, Dec 07 15 Tue, Dec 08 15 Tue, Dec 08 15 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM *See map on page 14. College Avenue runs between Prince St. and N. Goodman St., one block north of University Ave. (behind the Memorial Art Gallery), and one block south of Main St. (behind the Auditorium Theater). Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 2

C.A.S.H. ADVISOR (CA) TRAINING Register for classes online via www.cash.volunteerhub.com. Trainings are located at the United Way, 75 College Ave, 14607* C.A.S.H. Advisor Introduction Attendance is required for all new C.A.S.H. Advisors. Choose one class to attend. CA Intro 1 Sat, Jan 9, 2016 9:00 am 1:00 pm CA Intro 2 Mon, Jan 11, 2016 5:30 pm 9:30 pm CA Intro 3 Sat, Jan 16, 2016 1:00 pm 5:00 pm CA Intro 4 Thurs, Jan 21, 2016 9:00 am 1:00 pm CA Intro 5 Wed, Jan 27, 2016 5:30 pm 9:30 pm C.A.S.H. Advisor Refresher Attendance is required for all returning C.A.S.H. Advisors. Choose one class to attend. CA Refresher 1 Sat, Jan 9, 2016 2:00 pm 4:00 pm CA Refresher 2 Fri, Jan 15, 2016 1:00 pm 3:00 pm CA Refresher 3 Sat, Jan 16, 2016 10:00 am 12:00 pm CA Refresher 4 Wed, Jan 20, 2016 CA Refresher 5 Wed, Jan 20, 2016 10:00 am 12:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm CA/FDM Overview OPTIONAL class for returning volunteers, class will cover a more in depth review of the roles of FDM and CA and how they fit into the tax preparation part of the CASH process. CA/FDM Overview (Choose one class) Mon, Dec 07 15 Tue, Dec 08 15 Tue, Dec 08 15 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM *See map on page 14. College Avenue runs between Prince St. and N. Goodman St., one block north of University Ave. (behind the Memorial Art Gallery), and one block south of Main St. (behind the Auditorium Theater). Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 3

TAX PREPARER TRAINING We highly encourage all volunteers to review our new Tax Preparation Training flowcharts to help determine the best option for IRS certification training; refer to page 5 for new volunteers and page 6 for returning volunteers. Please consider taking advantage of the Hybrid Training Options that combine online and inclassroom training. Hybrid options are available for new and returning volunteers. If you are unsure about which course you should take, please contact Tracy Merlau, at 585 295 5733 or tmerlau@empirejustice.org. Tax Training Location: see map on page 15 All tax preparation training is located on the 1 st floor computer labs of Building 11 on the MCC Brighton Campus 1000 East Henrietta Rd, 14623. Parking: see map on page 15 Parking for CASH Volunteers is reserved to LOT M ONLY. C.A.S.H. is not responsible for any tickets you may receive if parked in an incorrect lot. We reserve the right to cancel any training session if 5 or fewer volunteers sign up. Notification of cancellation will be done via email. Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 4

YES Are You A New Preparer? NO CERTIFY BASIC LEVEL At what level do you want to certify? How do you prefer to learn? ADVANCED CLASSROOM: In Person HYBRID: Online & Classroom Training Refer to Advanced Training Options on page 6. OPTION 1: CLASSROOM BASIC Training Session 1 BASIC Training Session 2 BASIC Training Session 3 Practice and/or Test OPTION 2: BASIC HYBRID Online: Basic Concepts Classroom: o HYBRID Session 1 o HYBRID Session 2 Practice and/or Test CERTIFIED BASIC OPTIONAL: Health Savings Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 5

Are You A New Preparer? YES NO CERTIFY BASIC LEVEL At what level do you want to certify? ADVANCED How do you prefer to learn? Refer to BASIC Training Options on page 5 CLASSROOM: In Person HYBRID: Online & Classroom Training OPTION 1: CLASSROOM JANUARY ADV Training Session 1 ADV Training Session 2 ADV Training Session 3 Practice and/or Test OPTION 3: ADVANCED HYBRID Online: Link & Learn o Complete Adv IRS Test Classroom: NYS Review Class OPTION 2: CLASSROOM DEC & JAN Dec: ADV Training Session 1 Jan: ADV Training Session 2 Jan: ADV Training Session 3 Jan: Practice and/or Test OPTION 4: ADVANCED HYBRID Online: Basic Concepts Review Classroom: o ADV Training Session 2 o ADV Training Session 3 Practice and/or Test CERTIFIED ADVANCED OPTIONAL: Health Savings Account Unique Topics Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 6

BASIC TAX PREPARATION TRAINING NEW VOLUNTEERS Attendance is required for all new Tax Preparers. Returning Tax Preparers are welcome. There are two training options for returning Tax Preparers. Option 1: Classroom All training is performed in an in person classroom setting. Option 2: Basic Hybrid (Part 1 Online & Part 2 Classroom) o Part 1 Online: Review Basic Tax Law Concepts via Online Training Videos o Part 2 Classroom: Attend two classroom sessions and complete the IRS Certification test Option 1: Classroom Step 1: From the list below, choose one option from Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3 lists. Basic Training: Session 1 Options Tue, Jan 5 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Tue, Jan 5 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Sat, Jan 9 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Tue, Jan 12 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Basic Training: Session 2 Options Thu, Jan 07 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Thu, Jan 07 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Sat, Jan 09 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Thu, Jan 14 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Basic Training: Session 3 Options Mon, Jan 11 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Mon, Jan 11 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Sat, Jan 16 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Tue, Jan 19 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Step 2: Register for a Practice/Test Session and/or a Test Session to complete your IRS certification test from page 12. Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 7

Option 2: Basic Hybrid (Part 1 Online & Part 2 Classroom) Contact Tracy Merlau with questions and to arrange pick up of materials at 585 295 5733 or tmerlau@empirejustice.org. Part 1: Online Basic Tax Concept Review. Training consisting of 9 videos which can be accessed through the CASH training site: www.empirejustice.org/cash/cash training center/ Part 2: Consists of two classroom sessions. Choose one from each of the training sessions listed below. BASIC HYBRID Training Session 1 Options Wed, Jan 06 8:30 AM 12:30 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 Wed, Jan 06 1:00 PM 5:00 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 Wed, Jan 13 5:30 PM 9:30 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 BASIC HYBRID Training Session 2 Options Fri, Jan 08 8:30 AM 12:30 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 08 1:00 PM 5:00 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 Wed, Jan 20 5:30 PM 9:30 PM MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 101 Step 3: Register for a Practice/Test Session and/or a Test Session from the lists on the page 12 to complete your IRS certification test. Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 8

ADVANCED TAX PREPARATION TRAINING RETURNING VOLUNTEERS Attendance is required for all returning Tax Preparers. There are four training options for returning Tax Preparers. Option 1: Classroom January: All training is performed in a classroom setting in January. Option 2: Classroom Dec & Jan: Training performed in a classroom setting between Dec and Jan. Option 3: Advanced Hybrid Link & Learn (Part 1 Online, Part 2 Classroom) o Part 1 Online: Returning volunteers complete the IRS Link and Learn Online Training to review Federal Tax Law AND complete online IRS Certification Test. Training Materials and Link and Learn Instructions will be provided upon request. o Part 2 Classroom: This class will cover NYS tax law and C.A.S.H. updates Volunteers will need to bring a copy of their Volunteer Agreement form that shows proof the IRS Certification test was passed. Option 4: Advanced Hybrid Basic Concepts (Part 1 Online, Part 2 Classroom) o Part 1 Online: Returning volunteers can review Basic Tax Concepts online. Basic Tax Concepts consist of 9 videos available on the CASH training site: www.empirejustice.org/cash/cash training center/. Training Materials available upon request. o Part 2 Classroom: Volunteers will attend two classroom sessions to learn about Advanced Training Concepts and will also attend a Practice and/or Test Session to complete the IRS test in classroom. Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 9

Option 1: Classroom January Step 1: From the list below, choose one option from Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3 lists. ADV Training Session 1 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 Tue, Jan 05 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Tue, Jan 05 Sat, Jan 09 5:30 PM 9:30 PM 8:30 AM 12:30 PM ADV Training Session 2 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 ADV Training Session 3 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 Thu, Jan 07 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Mon, Jan 11 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Thu, Jan 07 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Wed, Jan 13 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 09 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Thu, Jan 14 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Mon, Jan 11 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 16 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Step 2: Register for a Practice/Test Session and/or a Test Session from the lists on the page 12 to complete your IRS certification test. Option 2: Classroom Dec & Jan Step 1: From the list below, choose one option from Session 1, Session 2, and Session 3 lists. ADV Training Session 2 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 Advanced Session 1 (December) United Way, Eastman Conference Room Mon, Dec 07 15 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Mon, Dec 07 15 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Tue, Dec 08 15 1:00 PM 3:00 PM ADV Training Session 3 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 Thu, Jan 07 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Mon, Jan 11 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Thu, Jan 07 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Wed, Jan 13 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 09 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Thu, Jan 14 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Mon, Jan 11 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 16 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Step 2: Register for a Practice/Test Session and/or a Test Session from the lists on the page 12 to complete your IRS certification test Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 10

Option 3: Advanced Hybrid Link & Learn (Part 1 Online, Part 2 Classroom) Link and Learn is a 2 part training option available to volunteers who would like to review the I.R.S. materials and take the IRS certification tests on their own time. C.A.S.H. provides all training materials and instructions on how to access Link and Learn online. Contact Tracy to arrange pick up of materials at 585 295 5733 or tmerlau@empirejustice.org. Step 1: Online IRS Link & Learn Course: Volunteers will need to complete online IRS Basic and Intermediate Link & Learn course and certification tests on their own time. Step 2: NYS Review Class. Volunteers will need to bring copies of volunteer agreement forms from Link and Learn online that show passing test scores to be allowed into class. Class will cover NYS tax law and C.A.S.H. updates. Register for one NYS Review class. NYS REVIEW Tue, Jan 12 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Tue, Jan 12 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Option 4: Advanced Hybrid Basic Concepts (Part 1 Online, Part 2 Classroom) Contact Tracy Merlau with questions and to arrange pick up of materials at 585 295 5733 or tmerlau@empirejustice.org. Step 1: Online Basic Tax Concept Review. Training consisting of 9 videos which can be accessed through the CASH training site: www.empirejustice.org/cash/cash training center/ Step 2: Consists of two classroom sessions. Choose one from each of the training sessions listed below. ADV Training Session 2 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 ADV Training Session 3 Options MCC Brighton, Bldg 11 Rm 102 Thu, Jan 07 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Mon, Jan 11 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Thu, Jan 07 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Wed, Jan 13 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 09 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Thu, Jan 14 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Mon, Jan 11 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Sat, Jan 16 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Step 3: Register for a Practice/Test Session and/or a Test Session from the lists on the page 12 to complete your IRS certification test Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 11

Practice/Test Sessions Tue, Jan 12 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Tue, Jan 12 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 15 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 15 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 15 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Fri, Jan 15 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Sat, Jan 16 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Sat, Jan 16 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Wed, Jan 20 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Thu, Jan 21 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Thu, Jan 21 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Thu, Jan 21 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Test Sessions Fri, Jan 22 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 22 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Fri, Jan 22 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Fri, Jan 22 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Sat, Jan 23 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Sat, Jan 23 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 101 Sat, Jan 23 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Sat, Jan 23 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 12

Optional Training for Volunteers Health Savings Account (HSA) Certification Class We encourage all experienced volunteers to complete this training. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are gaining popularity among C.A.S.H. clients. HSAs allow individuals with highdeductible health insurance to use tax deductible contributions to pay qualified medical expenses. Training can be completed in classroom or online. Classroom: Choose ONE session to attend. HSA 1 Tue, Jan 19 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 HSA 2 Tue, Jan 19 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Online: Must pass Basic or Advanced Certification Test before taking this online training. Unique Topics: This is a class for experienced preparers who wish to discuss situations they may have seen at the sites that do not fall into normal training guidelines. Register for one class online via www.cash.volunteerhub.com. Unique Topics 1 Wed, Jan 20 1:00 PM 5:00 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Unique Topics 2 Wed, Jan 20 5:30 PM 9:30 PM Bldg 11 Rm 102 Additional information for Tax Preparers: The IRS website (www.irs.gov) has the most complete and up to date information on all tax topics. There are several tabs at the top of the page to help identify information and resources. Commonly used tabs: for Tax Pros, Forms and Pubs, and Help & Resources. You can also type in any topic in the search box and get detailed information. Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 13

United Way/Red Cross College Avenue Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 14

Register for Training Online: www.cash.volunteerhub.com Page 15