What test do you need to pass to volunteer?
Every volunteer needs to pass the:

• Standards of Conduct/Ethics Exam
• Intake/Interview and Quality Review Exam

Tax preparers and Quality Reviewers need to also pass:

• Basic and/or Advanced Exam
  • You do not have to do the Basic in order to do the Advanced
  • We recommend all tax preparers become Advanced certified so you can help more people and it only requires a little more knowledge
    • Remember, you don't have to memorize anything, these are open book, open notes, take at your own time and speed test.  And, I am here to help you.
    • Disclaimer: since I know this site is viewed by people all over the country, I need to say that some programs only accept advanced certified volunteers--so check with your program manager if you wish to be only Basic certified.
    • I personally suggest taking both for more practice and confidence but both is not required.
• Optional Certification is available (not required):
  • Foreign Student **if you are going to help at a local university with International Students I suggest this certification
  • International **I have never needed this with my clients
  • Military **Live near a base, I suggest this certification--we don't have bases near us so this is not needed.
  • Puerto Rico **I have never needed this with my clients
  • Federal Tax Law Update Test for Circular 230 Professionals-- ​If the volunteer is an attorney, Certified Public Accountant or Enrolled Agent they can choose to take the Federal Tax Law Update Test for Circular 230 Professionals instead of the Advanced exam ***Caution-- volunteers CANNOT GET continuing education credits with the Circular 230 test--to get continuing education credits you must take the Advanced Exam.

All Site Coordinators and Assistant Site Coordinators need to also pass the Site Coordinator Exam

---

Here is what the IRS Landing Page for VITA/TCE Volunteers looks like.  Learn this web-address linklearncertification.com
​Certification log-in on the left;  training modules and Practice Lab on the right.

When you are ready to take your tests, log in on the left side of the screen (if you haven't already, you will need to create an account)

View the New Volunteer Orientation for Tax Preparers on the Recordings of Trainings page.
Also--make sure to check out the Study Guides page for some wonderful resources to help you!

---

About the books

• PUB 4012 (Volunteer Handbook)  
  • Get used to how it is set up,
  • there are screen shots and instructions for how to enter the information
  • What is In/Out of Scope is in the beginning of the book
  • How to start and end a return
  • Filing status decision tree
  • Who can be claimed as a dependent,  and so much more
  • It is our VITA Bible!
• PUB 6744 Volunteer Test Book
  • ​Has test questions for both versions of each test
  • Some test questions require you to enter a tax return in the software--all documents and info in order to complete the scenario's tax return is in the book
  • Remember you must pass each test with 80% accuracy
  • Every year we have to re-certify as tax laws change--and we need refreshers after a tax hiatus
  • Find study guides and certification checks  on vitaresources.net Certification tab

Other helpful Resources you should check out:

PUB 4491  (VITA Training Guide)
PUB 4491-X (Training Supplement-pages that have been updated after initial printing of PUB 4011, 4012, 4491, 6744, and more)
PUB 17  (general rules for filing a federal income tax return)
PUB 4011 (Foreign Student & Scholar Guide)

• PUB 4491 and PUB 17 will not be available in print form after 2018 but can always be found online by clicking hte link above.
• It is suggested that you download a copy of PUB 17 and PUB 4012 onto each computer you use when preparing taxes (with a shortcut on the desktop) for quick and easy reference.