Intake/Interview (Form 13614-C) Only Pages 1-3 (excludes consent pages)

Key to Improved Accuracy and Quality Return Objective is to prepare a 100% accurate return Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet (Form 13614-C) is a key tool to help in achieving that objective Improve the data entry process Provides notes and information for the preparer and the Quality reviewer that were obtained in the interview and might not be obvious from tax documents Remember – for some this will be a difficult, trying experience Giving their personal confidential information to a stranger Will they owe more than they can afford Will they get the refund they hope for May have physical limitations NTTC Training - TY2018

Engage the Taxpayer and Build Rapport Put taxpayers at ease and build rapport Introduce yourself with a smile Intake form is not a test. It is ok if they don’t know all the answers Ask open-ended questions Questions that require more than yes or no answers Remember awareness/sensitivity discussion Speak clearly, allow taxpayer time to respond in their own words Ask permission if you need to defer or discuss with another counselor Remember – for some this will be a difficult, trying experience Giving their personal confidential information to a stranger Will they owe more than they can afford Will they get the refund they hope for May have physical limitations NTTC Training - TY2018

Explain the Process Will review the Intake Booklet, taxpayer tax documents, prior year return and verify identity documents Return will be prepared Return will be reviewed by another counselor – Quality Review Done to ensure accuracy of your return – second set of eyes Taxpayer/spouse will sign return Return will be E-filed or taxpayer will mail return Make sure taxpayer understands the steps you will follow that lead to his/her return being completed Review of Intake Booklet and documents and last year’s return to make sure have everything and return is in scope Data entry in TaxSlayer – will likely have questions as go through this Your review of completed return with taxpayer – he/she knows better than anyone if spellings are correct, addresses correct, etc. plus chance to answer any questions QR by a second set of eyes to make sure everything is correct Will give copies of returns to taxpayer for their records Will efile federal and state returns (unless there is a tax law related reason not to – we don’t prepare paper returns otherwise) Will give them any local returns to mail if necessary NTTC Training - TY2018

Intake Booklet First three pages similar to prior years Counselors complete gray shaded areas Discuss and change all “Unsure” to “Yes” or “No” Make notes on the form to provide clarification during QR Review Intake Booklet for out of scope items Note (B), (A) or (HSA) by questions denotes level needed to prepare the return Add notes on Intake Booklet of any additional information to assist quality reviewer This is not an option – REQUIRED for each taxpayer/couple/family Some taxpayers may have difficulty answering all the questions. Client Facilitator (if you have one) can help You will help as you review all questions and entries NTTC Training - TY2018

Intake Booklet Page 1 Counselor to complete shaded area Rarely see this completed! NTTC Training - TY2018

Intake Booklet Page 3 Counselor to complete shaded area Rarely see this completed! NTTC Training - TY2018

Intake Booklet Sort taxpayers’ documents for sources of income and expenses Confirm needed documents or information is present Taxpayer may need to go home for missing information Verify tax year Review for scope Use the What’s In Scope from CORE The counselor’s job is not just to input the taxpayer’s documents – it is to ensure they are preparing an accurate and complete tax return for the customer. Not uncommon for taxpayers to mix multiple years of documents, so be sure have this year’s Sort in Form 1040 order and leave in order so that QR person doesn’t have to hunt NTTC Training - TY2018

Confirm Taxpayer Identity Confirm identity of taxpayers with government-issued photo ID Be aware if IDENTITY THEFT! Confirm taxpayer identification number for every person listed on return Social Security card or 1099-SSA benefits statement ITIN letter DC/LC approval required for exceptions Be cognizant of IDENTITY THEFT! Screening may be done initially by the client facilitator, but the trained counselor must ALSO complete this step. If taxpayer and spouse are known by counselor and identity can be verified by counselor, that is acceptable. NTTC Training - TY2018

ITIN/SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS 2018-2019 Policies and Procedures 6.6 Taxpayers must provide documented social security numbers or tax ID numbers for everyone listed on the tax return in order to reduce return rejects and reduce identity theft. While the SSN card or ITIN document is best, volunteers may validate social security numbers and individual taxpayer identification numbers by using last year’s prepared return, official documents issued by the Social Security Administration such as Social Security cards, income statements, such as SSA-1099s, and other documents issued by the Social Security Administration. Documents with truncated social security numbers (typically last four digits only) are acceptable if the number is consistent other tax documents, and if the taxpayer presents acceptable government issued photo ID. Volunteer judgment is appropriate and essential in SSN/ITIN verification.  NTTC Training - TY2018

Resources AARP Portal Pub 4012 – Tab B Intake and interview Video Screening and Interview Training Slides Pub 4012 – Tab B Pub 5101 – Intake/Interview and Quality Review Training CORE What is in or out of scope NTTC Training - TY2018

Screening and Interviewing NTTC Training - TY2018