Note: Remember, the tests are open book and not-timed, and you are not required to memorize anything, because you have to be able, in real life, to know how to look up information & how to ask questions. I strongly suggest, as I do it each year myself and have been doing this over 13 years, review the IRS Link&Learn modules or VITA-Train modules from FPP so you can become familiar with the different tax forms, situations, credits, laws, changes etc.  If you have at least exposed yourself to everything you will FEEL and BE more confident—and it will show. I know everyone wants to do accurate returns and be the best tax-preparers they can be, and that is why I create these tools. For you to have a resource that will guide you to information you need. If you have questions, you can always contact me—I am here to help.  Have a great training season!
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Study Guides for Basic & Advanced

Tip 1: Try to find the answers on your own first, so you can get familiar with where the information is located in PUB 4012 or 4491.  If unsure or can’t find it, then by all means use the study guide. I don’t want you to get frustrated or overwhelmed. I just mean this is a learning experience not just pass the test as fast as you can.  Learn how to use your PUB 4012.
Tip 2: will refer to different Publications in this study guide. You can easily use the link below to access the books  online. When you open a book, use the find feature <Ctrl><F> to type in a keyword to find what you are looking for in the document; or go to the table of contents and index. But pay attention to where they are in the book; because when you are at a live site with a real book in hand, you want to be able to access the information quickly—is it in income, credits, etc.  **You can also access the online books at the site as well, but get used to both.
  •  PUB 4012 VITA/TCE Volunteer Resource Guide (our Bible and a requirement to have on hand or online accessible when preparing returns—the IRS checks that we have it)
  • PUB 4491 VITA/TCE Training Guide (this is not a requirement and is not available in print form) This is the same information as is on the Link&Learn modules just in book form.
Tip 3: There have been quite a few changes to tax laws for 2021— vitaresources.net/changes.html or PUB 4491 pages iv through x. 
 I strongly suggest all tax-preparers (especially returning volunteers) review the changes (especially about EITC, Daycare Credit, CTC credits)
Click on the image for each study guide to open it

Advanced Study Guide TY2021

I updated notes on #35 --new version below--please review

Basic Study Guide TY2021

Page 62 from FORM 6744 Test Book--Printed version is missing this information from day care statement-see image on right

Check Your Work Here!

Before you submit online on the IRS certification site. After you take the Certification exams in your PUB 6744 book, input your answers in these online forms to check your work.  Feedback is given--if you get a question incorrect, it will guide you to the resource you should review.  Remember, this is all about learning so we can do the best for our clients.

These are anonymous, I do not collect information about who is using these. I hope you find them useful. It is my hope to reduce anxiety, build confidence, provide feedback by telling the user where to look for help with a question they got wrong--as this will help the user gain knowledge when they research it and redo the answer.
                                                                                                
As always, if you find an error, have a suggestion, or need help, please feel free to contact me at maryvitataxes@gmail.com
If our answers don't match mine and you review yours and think I am wrong-- please email me. I might be wrong, let's discuss it. I am human after all and I do make mistakes.
Advanced Test Question Check
#35-my study guide gave guidance as to what to review for Dependent Care Credit for this scenario. Do not rely on the Form 2411 or tax schedules to provide your answer--there has been A LOT of changes to this credit this year. And Practice Lab hasn't updated their system for this YET
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Are you Ready to Take The Test on the IRS Website?-

Create an account at linklearncertification.com the IRS VITA certification site is located on the left side of the screen. Click on Create an Account (When you create your account: complete ONLY the fields with the red asterisk *)   
​Enter the following: 
  • Group- 01 VITA
  • Training Source: Link and Learn (elearning)
  • If this is your first year as a VITA volunteer-- enter (1) for number of years volunteered. *Returning volunteers, make sure to change the # of years
  • Leave SEID field blank
  • PTIN (If you have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)  enter it else leave blank)
  • Make sure to write down your username and password!!!
  • You need to pass each test with a score of 80% or higher. You get (2) two attempts at each test. 

Once you complete ALL your certification tests, Send Proof of Certification to your program manager.
  • You cannot volunteer without having a Volunteer Agreement Form sent to your program manager.
  • On the right of the screen that shows your test results, click the box that says “You may sign your agreement electronically by checking this box” ii. Then click on the link that appears just below your name iii. It will generate a PDF that you need to save to your computer. Send an email to your program manager with the agreement sent as an attachment. (See images)


Code of Conduct-Ethics Training (same holds true every year)
​Required for ALL VITA Volunteers no matter what position you work or how long you have been a VITA volunteer.
Intake Interview & Quality Review Training
Required for ALL tax preparers and strongly suggested for greeters as well so they can help with intake.
Review Quizzes I made for the Heck of It-- **UPDATED 11/9/21
***Due to tax law changes--some of the answers changed--If you took these already I strongly suggest you re-take them. I would hate for you to think you were correct, or incorrect based on the way it scored a previous answer. All 5 Quizzes are updated now. 

  Quiz 1   Filing Status, Filing Requirement, and Child Tax Credit (5 questions)
  Quiz 2   Education  Expenses & Credits (4 Questions)
  Quiz 3   Education Credits and Married Filing Separately   (6 Questions)
  Quiz 4    Child Tax Credits and Tip Income (7 questions)
  Quiz 5     Child Tax Credit & Credit for Other Dependent (8 questions)
If you really like Quizzes--every Module from Prosperity Now's TON-- VITA TRAIN has a review Quiz--see the Training pages for them
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You can contact me at maryvitataxes@gmail.com 
Please note: I, Mary Meador, AM NOT a certified accountant or tax law expert. I volunteer with VITA providing free tax preparation for individuals and families whose income is less than $66,000 a year. We deal with simple returns at our sites.  I cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the information on this site as tax laws change and I may not have a clear understanding of complicated issues. I am trying to provide basic tax preparation information for our volunteers to get started--remember Publication 4012 is your go-to resource for questions, as well as irs.gov and Publication 17. ​