What is the VITA Program?

VITA is an IRS sponsored, free tax preparation program that is offered to low to moderate income, elderly and disabled members of the community who are not able to afford professional tax filing services. All tax preparers are trained in tax law and are required to be certified by the IRS to prepare tax returns as volunteers.

Federal Tax Law Training

Instructions

Dear VITA Intern:

Thank you for your interest in the VITA program. You will get the opportunity to help members of your community in a very substantial way. In addition, you will learn how to prepare taxes, how to work in a team environment, and get a chance to network with other like minded ambitious individuals. To begin the training we would like you to start by watching brief videos in a play list format which will provide you with an exposure to the necessary tax topics. To supplement the videos there are reading assignments after each play list. Make sure you watch the videos in order, and do the reading for that section BEFtranORE moving to the next section. Here are the links to the videos on YouTube:

  1. Introduction to Taxes and the Tax Formula.
      After watching both videos in this play list, review the tax formula and glance over the items on the form 1040 that were mentioned in the video. Try and connect the formula to the form 1040 to see the flow of the numbers.
  2. Exemptions & Claiming Dependents.
      After watching the videos in this play list, read pages these pages (6-1 to 7-11 of Publication 4491).
  3. Filing Status.
      After watching the videos in this play list, read pages these pages (5-1 to 5-9 of Publication 4491).
  4. Standard Deduction & Itemized Deductions.
      After watching the videos in this play list, read these pages (20-1 to 20-5 of Publication 4491).
  5. Earned Income Credits.
      After watching the videos in this play list, read pages these pages (30-1 to 30-7 of Publication 4491)..
  6. Education Credits.
      After watching the videos in this play list, read pages these pages (24-1 to 24-8) of Publication 4491).
  7. Affordable Care Act.
Take notes while you watch the videos and do the reading. Write down any questions that you may come up with as well as things you want further clarification on, because we will be meeting for a live session and you will get a chance to ask relevant questions if you come prepared. As with other things in life, your success in the VITA program is reliant on the effort you put in, so please make sure you take this part of the training seriously.