💙Welcome! Don't just study to pass the test. Study to help people 💙
The certification exam covers only a small sample of the tax situations you'll encounter while serving taxpayers. The training resources on this site are designed to build your knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving skills for real-life situations.
Don't worry about memorizing every tax rule. Great volunteers know how to use their reference materials, ask questions, and work with their team. You'll always have access to resources, quality reviewers, and experienced volunteers who are ready to help.
Take time to explore the training materials, examples, and practice exercises. The more you learn now, the more confident and prepared you'll be when it's time to help taxpayers. We're excited to have you on the team! 💙
Drop-in For Help (All Welcome)
Tuesdays & Sundays Oct 6 - Jan 26 7-9pm EST
Meeting ID:Meeting ID 625 713 8511; Passcode: 620362; One tap mobile +13052241968
Here is the link to tax year 2026s:
PUB 6744 Test Book (don't focus on the test now--focus on training!
IRS PUB 4491 Volunteer Training (COMING SOON!)
Training Note: These lessons follow the same flow used when preparing a tax return, and each topic builds on the one before it.
Most lessons include a quiz, or a practice scenario for you to enter in the tax software, giving you the opportunity to apply new skills immediately and build confidence preparing returns. For the best learning experience, complete the lessons in order. Many of the practice scenarios continue from one lesson to the next. Trainings are in PDF, Powerpoint, and video format--as everyone learns differently.
Click on the images to open each presentation.
💙Code of Conduct, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Certification 💙
Every volunteer plays an important role in protecting taxpayers and ensuring accurate tax returns. The Code of Conduct certification covers the ethical standards and responsibilities expected of all VITA/TCE volunteers. The Intake/Interview & Quality Review certification teaches the skills needed to ask the right questions, gather complete information, and conduct a thorough review before a return is filed.
EVERYONE MUST PASS THE CODE OF CONDUCT TEST AND THE INTAKE/INTERVIEW & QUALITY REVIEW TEST.
Study Guides courtesy of United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg. 💙
Note: All trainings have been updated--practice scenarios are not updated for 2026, yet.
Currently working on editing and creating recordings, study gides and answer checking tool- then will update the scenarios for 2026.
Lessons Follow the flow of tax preparation
LESSON NUMBER TRAINING(Updated) PRACTICES (not updated yet)
OCT 20 - ADDED WHAT TO DO WHEN DEPENDENT CAN BE CLAIMED BY MORE THAN ONE PERSON (GREEN SLIDES --ADDED AFTER RECORDING)
Who can be claimed as a dependents?
Make sure you VIEW this traiing & use your tools! It's easy to make mistakes on this topic.
Click here for PDF of the training Power Point Version
Click Image below for a video of the training - I added to the training after I recorded it--see the PDF or Powerpoint green slides for new material on what to do when a dependent can be claimed by more than one person.
P.S. I added a lot of explanations to this quiz as requested-hope you find this a useful tool!
Selecting the correct and BEST is not always obvious--NEVER ASSUME!!
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image below for a recording of the training
Click image below for PDF of Quiz
P.S. I added a lot of explanations to this quiz as requested-hope you find this a useful tool!
A thorough Intake is KEY to an accurate return.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image below for a recording of the training
I cannot stress the importance of a thorough intake interview.
Get to know your taxpayers and have fun!
Earned vs Unearned Income
INCLUDES THE REDUCED TAX ON TIP AND OVERTIME PAY DEDUCTIONS.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
How to enter a tax return
1040 below is from 2025 software
Retirement Income 1099Rs --
Updated Aug 2026 to include Exceptions to Penalty Information
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image below for Recording
Changed Values a little in scenario 10/12/2026
1040 below is from 2025 software
Note: When calculating the taxable portion for a joint survivor beneficiaty using the Simplified Method (and Taxslayer now works great for this) -- if the employee was receiving benefits BEFORE passing away then use the same combined age after death. If the benefits started AFTER the employee passed away use only the survivor's age. (Note from PUB 4012 Section D)
2026 Re-Done except for Recording 10/23/26
Social Security & RailRoad Retirement
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training (sorry for background noise-hum)
Add in Wilma's Railroad Retirement
Flintsone's Part 2 1040 below is from 2025 software
I revised Part 1 10/12/2026 - you may need to go back and adjust your return if you dod part 1 before 10/12/2026
Jone's Part 2 1040 below is from 2025 software
Self-Employment
**ADVANCED TOPIC**
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
1040 below is from 2025 software
Recordings are being made for the lessons after this -- but powerpoints and PDFs are updated
PDF and PowerPoint updated- Recording is not done
Interest, Dividends AND
Capital Gains
**ADVANCED TOPIC**
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Supplemental Training on Sale of Main Home will be added -i have to find where i put it LOL
1040 below is from 2025 software
1040 below is from 2025 software
2026 Re-Done except for Recording 10/15/26
Alimony, Gambling, Cancelled Debt, Unemployment, Poll Worker, Medicaid Waiver Payments & More!
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
1040 below is from 2025 software
2026 Re-Done except for Recording 10/15/26
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
2026 Re-Done except for Recording 10/15/26
Educator Expenses, IRA Contributions, Student Loan Interest; HSA- Health Savings Account
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Check In-- For Practice # 11 - Banta- Part 2 You should show for 2025 Tax Year..........
AGI $24,325 Total Tax (Line 24) $712 Results: Refund $0.00 UPDATED 12/5/2025
2026 Re-Done except for Recording 10/15/26
Also includes, Enhanced Senior Deduciton, and Vehicle Interest Deduction
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Added note about Proposed change - Federal Publilc Benefits Schedule 3-A
Training updated- not recorded yet
Differences Between them.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Update 10/20/2026 Not Recording
Differences Between them.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Update 10/22/2026 Not Recording
Differences Between them.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Update 10/23/2026 Not Recording
Differences Between them.
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Update 10/23/2026 Not Recording
Types of Education Credits & Qualifications
Click Here for PDF of Training PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Scenario updated - not the lesson
This lesson is not recommended for new tax preparers -
Deeper Dive - Maximizing the- Education Credit & Kiddie Tax; for dependent and parent; Getting more Education Credit--
This lesson is not recommended for new tax preparers
Deeper Dive - Maximizing the- Education Credit and affect on EITC
updated 11/1/26
Training updated
Marketplace
Click Here for PDF PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Cristiani Part 3 1040 2025
Lawrance 1040 2025
LawrCristiano PArt 4 1040 2025
updated 11/1/26
Intake Form- Page 3 to end
Click Here for PDF PowerPoint Version
Click Image Below for Recording of the training
Lot's of sample recordings
Bonus Lessons coming soon -- how to use Customer Portal, How to do a Quality Review, How to explain a Return the the taxpayer; and maybe more.. when I have time :)
Message for volunteers: Volunteers should base their certification test/retest answers using the tax law content shown in the lessons of the Publication 4491 and Publication 4012. Volunteers should NOT base their test/retest answers on OBBBA tax law changes. The Link & Learn Taxes Certification site is programmed for pre-OBBBA tax law answers only.
TAX YEAR 2026 Study Guides & Certification coming soon
TY2026 sTUDY gUIDE HS BEEN UPDATED
TAX YEAR 2025 Scenario Results -- 2026 coming soon
Results from 11-23-2025 *if you get something different let me know
TAX YEAR 2026 Certification Review - coming soon
Once you have completed answering all the test questions in your book(or on paper), before you submit online on the IRS certification site, 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.
