Vita Certification Test Exam Questions and Answers

Prior to working at a VITA/TCE site, ALL VITA/TCE volunteers (greeters, client facilitators, tax preparers, quality reviewers, etc.) must: - Both a and b a. Annually pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSC) certification test with a score of 80% or higher. b. Sign and date the Form 13615, Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement, agreeing to comply with the VSC by upholding the highest ethical standards. Can a volunteer be removed and barred from the VITA/TCE program for violating the Volunteer Standards of Conduct? - Yes If a taxpayer offers you a $20 bill because they were so happy about the quality service they received, what is the appropriate action to take? - c. Thank the taxpayer, and explain that you cannot accept any payment for your services. Jake is an IRS tax law-certified volunteer preparer at a VITA/TCE site. When preparing a return for Jill, Jake learns that Jill does not have a bank account to receive a direct deposit of her refund. Jill is distraught when Jake tells her the paper refund check will take three or four weeks longer than the refund being direct deposited. Jill asks Jake if he can deposit her refund in his bank account and then turn the money over to her when he gets it. What should Jake do? - b. Jake should explain that a taxpayer's federal or state refund cannot be deposited into a VITA/TCE volunteer's bank account and she will have to open an account in her own name to have the refund direct deposited. Max prepares a tax return for Ali at a VITA/TCE site. He finds out during the interview that Ali has no health insurance. After Ali leaves the site, Max writes her name and contact information down to take home to his wife who sells health insurance for profit. Which of the following statements is true? - b. Max has violated the VSC because he is using confidential information to engage in a financial transaction to further his own or another's personal interest. Bob, an IRS tax law-certified volunteer preparer, told the taxpayer that cash income does not need to be reported because the IRS does not know about it. Bob indicated NO cash income on Form 13614-C. Bob prepared a tax return excluding the cash income. Jim, the designated quality reviewer, was unaware of the conversation and therefore unaware of the cash income and the return was printed, signed, and e-filed. Who violated the Volunteer Standards of Conduct? - a. Bob, the tax law-certified volunteer who prepared the return. Sue, a VITA/TCE coordinator, was watching the local news when she saw Aaron, a new tax law-certified volunteer, in a story about several bank employees being arrested for suspicion of embezzlement. She saw Aaron being led out of the bank in handcuffs. Three days later, Sue is shocked when she sees Aaron show up at the site ready to volunteer, apparently out on bond. She pulls Aaron aside and explains that his arrest on suspicion of embezzlement could have a negative effect on the site and therefore she must ask him to leave the site. Sue removed his access to the software, she then uses the external referral process to report the details to IRS-SPEC by sending an email to . Did Sue take appropriate actions as the coordinator? - YES Heidi, a VSC-certified volunteer, is working at the intake station. As part of her duties, she is required to explain to the taxpayer what they are expected to do today as part of the return preparation process. What should Heidi tell them? - d. All of the above. During the intake process, the volunteer should verify the taxpayer (and secondary taxpayer if married filing jointly) has government-issued photo identification. Additionally, taxpayers must provide verification of taxpayer identification numbers (SSN or ITIN) for everyone listed on the tax return. - True Mary, a VSC-certified greeter, reviews the taxpayer's completed Form 13614-C, page 2, to identify what potential volunteer certification level is needed for this tax return. Mary sees the taxpayer has checked the "yes" box indicating he has selfemployment income and the certification level next to the question is (A). All other questions answered "yes" have a (B) certification. When Mary assigns the return to a tax preparer, what tax law certification level does the tax preparer need? - Advanced Which volunteers must pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSC) certification test? - All VITA/TCE site volunteers must pass the VSC certification test Failure of a VITA/TCE volunteer to comply with the Volunteer Standards of Conduct could result in which of the following? - d. All of the above may be considered an appropriate action depending on the type of violation and the sponsoring organization's corrective actions. Is having a donation/tip jar at the quality review station within the VITA/TCE site a violation of the Volunteer Standards of Conduct? - No Maggie wants her tax refund quickly; however, she doesn't have a bank account for direct deposit. She asks Josh, the tax law-certified preparer, to deposit her refund into his checking account and turn the funds over to her when received. If Josh agrees to do this, has he violated any of the Volunteer Standards of Conduct? - Yes Pat is a paid tax preparer in the community; he also gives back to the community by serving as an IRS tax law-certified volunteer tax preparer at a VITA/TCE site. While conducting the interview with the taxpayer, Pat discovers the taxpayer's small business will generate a loss, making the return out of scope for the VITA/ TCE program. Pat explains to the taxpayer that the tax return cannot be prepared at the VITA/TCE site, but he will offer the taxpayer a discount at his paid tax preparation business down the road. Did Pat violate the Volunteer Standards of Conduct (VSC)? - a. Yes, it is a violation of the VSC for Pat to solicit business from any taxpayer at the VITA/TCE site Ann, an IRS tax law-certified tax preparer, told the taxpayer that cash income does not need to be reported because the IRS will never know about it. Ann indicated NO cash income on Form 13614-C. Ann prepared the return without the cash income. The designated quality reviewer was unaware of the conversation and therefore unaware of the cash income and the return was printed, signed, and e-filed. Did the designated quality reviewer violate the Volunteer Standards of Conduct? - No Jan, a greeter, overheard an IRS tax law-certified volunteer, Jim, trying to sell insurance to a taxpayer he was helping. Jim is an insurance agent in the community. Jan feels like Jim was pushy, made the taxpayer uncomfortable, and violated Volunteer Standard of Conduct #3. What should Jan do? - Tell the coordinator what she heard, so he can immediately remove Jim from the site and report the incident using the external referral process by sending an email to