Nuts and Bolts for Emerging and Existing Sites & Coalitions

Workshop A Community Tax Preparation 101: Learn the basics of starting and running a successful tax site. Presenters will share information on program models, lessons learned, customer service, and IRS requirements and regulations.

Workshop F Volunteer Coordination: This interactive workshop will focus on shared experiences by participants. Please come ready to share ideas and challenges you have faced in managing and motivating volunteers in your free tax assistance program. Facilitators with a background in volunteer management will guide participants through group problem-solving activities. The session will end with a compilation of best practices and creative solutions to common problems to share broadly moving forward.

Workshop E Community Tax Preparation 102: This workshop will provide information on how to take a well functioning tax site to the next level. Hear from seasoned tax site coordinators about growing your site and improving your program. Learn about how to start a low fee based tax site that complements the free tax preparation services you already provide.

Workshop K Engaging Education Institutions in Free Tax Preparation: Hear from tax programs that have successfully created successful working relationship with local universities. Learn how to work with students and professors to achieve a quality volunteer experience and manage supervision needs.

Workshop G Community Tax Preparation with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs): Speakers will present basic information about ITIN eligibility and its impact on quality tax preparation services. Discussion will also include information on providing outreach and education to those eligible to use ITINs.

Sustainability

Workshop H Sustainability through Funding and Planning: Tax preparation sites and asset building coalitions often find that their program capacity is dependent on the success of their ability to fundraise. Learn how to create a three to five year sustainability plan with a diverse set of funding streams.

Workshop B Creating a New Generation of Advocates: Learn about policies that affect your clients, the basic policy process, and how to engage legislators, volunteers and clients in your work. Discussion will also include tips for building relationships with elected officials.

Workshop L Using Research and Data on the Earned Income Tax Credit to Inform Our Work: Learn from national and local practitioners about what research and data is available and how it can be used to create better policy and make good planning decisions. The workshop will include an interactive tutorial on accessing available data.

Moving Beyond Tax Preparation

Workshop J Innovative Financial Products for Working Families: Learn about products that can truly move families to economic self-sufficiency. This active workshop will feature existing local and national product innovations and will involve a planning period to brainstorm what can be done with financial institutions and practitioners.

Workshop I Building Successful Partnerships Between Financial Institutions and Tax Preparation Coalitions: Financial institutions can be key community partners in asset building coalition. This workshop will examine two successful partnership models between financial institutions and community based organizations.

Workshop C Linking Public and Private Benefits To Economic Success: Learn how Community Action agencies and other non-profits link free tax prep, benefit screening, and other services to enhance economic stability opportunities for clients.

Workshop D More on The Color of Wealth: Join our Keynote Speaker Meizhu Lu as she dives even deeper into the findings of her book "The Color of Wealth". This much needed discussion will focus on the role that race and ethnicity play in the financial lives of working families. The speaker will also offer ways to use the finding of the book to effect a positive change towards equality in our communities.

Exposing the Wealth Gap: This plenary session will present a national and local overview of the growing wealth gap between the very wealthy and the asset poor and its implications for community stability.

Planning for Long Term Success

Maryland: Meet with others in your state/district who are doing free tax preparation and other asset building work. We will discuss training, funding opportunities, marketing, and policy. Join us for this exciting discussion!

Washington DC: Meet with others in DC who are doing free tax preparation and other asset building work. During this time period, Campaign leadership will review important upcoming deadlines for funding proposals, technology and supply needs, planning meetings etc. We will also discuss updates and plans for increased marketing and outreach efforts and introduce new staff for the Campaign. Do not miss this opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and receive key updates.

Virginia: Meet with others in your state/district who are doing free tax preparation and other asset building work. Use this time to network and plan for state-wide efforts. VACAP EITC grant announcement.