VITA/TCE
Intake/Interview and Quality Review Training
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Publication 5101 (Rev. 10-2025) Catalog Number 64024A Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov
INTAKE/INTERVIEW AND QUALITY REVIEW TRAINING
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Test Your Knowledge
THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRAINING
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
To assist SPEC partners and employees understand the process of conducting effective intake/interview and quality reviews.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS TRAINING
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe:
REFERENCES
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet
Form 14446, Virtual VITA/TCE Taxpayer Consent Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals) Publication 524, Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
Publication 4012, VITA/TCE Volunteer Resource Guide
Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Civil Rights - A Public Trust
Publication 5166, VITA/TCE Volunteer Quality Site Requirements
Publication 5838, VITA/TCE Intake/Interview and Quality Review Handbook
Introduction
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Benefits of a complete Intake/Interview and Quality Review
The three vital components of providing quality service and accurate tax return preparation are starting the process with an effective intake, interviewing the taxpayer, and finishing with a quality review of the tax return.
Intake, Interview and Quality Review Training
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Required for:
Tax Law Certification
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Tax Law Certification
Annual requirement for:
Screeners and client facilitators who answer tax law questions must also certify in tax law.
DUE DILIGENCE
You must:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Note: Only tax law certified volunteers can answer tax law questions during intake and interview processes.
Form 13614-C Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Form 13614-C is a tool designed to help ensure taxpayers are given the opportunity to provide all needed information before their tax return is prepared. When used properly, this form effectively contributes to accurate tax return preparation.
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
What’s New:
FY 2025 Top Quality Errors
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Top 5 errors found during FY2025 FSV/RSR/QSS Reviews:
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Greet the taxpayer
“Hello”, “Good Morning“ / “Good Afternoon”, “Nice to meet you”, “I am here to help you.”
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Explain the intake, interview and quality review processes
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Ensure the taxpayer has all the documents required to prepare the tax return
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Provide taxpayer with Form 13614-C (if taxpayer doesn’t already have one)
INTAKE PROCESS: DETERMINE THE REQUIRED
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
.
Determine the certification level of the tax return
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Completing Form 13614-C
INTAKE PROCESS: ASSIGN TAX RETURN
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Assign the tax return to a volunteer preparer based on certification level. (Greeters, screeners and client facilitators who assign tax returns must pass the Intake/Interview and Quality Review certification test)
INTAKE PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
SCOPE OF SERVICE
POLL QUESTION 1:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
If a Greeter is not certified in Intake/Interview and Quality Review, can they assign tax returns to a volunteer preparer?
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Only IRS-tax law certified volunteers may interview the taxpayer
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Confirm Photo Identification and Taxpayer Identification Numbers
Refer to Publication 4299, Privacy, Confidentiality and Civil Rights - A Public Trust for more information
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Acceptable Documentation
POLL QUESTION 2:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
What are the options for verifying the taxpayer’s identity?
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Known to the Site
Larry goes to the local VITA/TCE site to have his taxes prepared and forgot his Social Security card. Larry has been a client at this site for several years and knows the site coordinator. The volunteer at the intake desk asks for Larry’s Social Security card. Larry doesn’t have it. The volunteer gets approval for Larry to be covered under Known to the Site from the site coordinator as the site coordinator knows Larry. The site coordinator notes and initials the exception in the Additional Comments section on Form 13614-C, Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet. .
POLL QUESTION 3:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Who can authorize an exception to service a taxpayer who does not have their ID?
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Review Form 13614-C
POLL QUESTION 4:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
When is the Form 13614-C considered complete?
INTERVIEW PROCESS
During the Interview
Errors or omissions must be corrected or entered on the Form 13614-C prior to tax preparation
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Form 13614-C page 1 – Personal Information (confirm address, name and date of birth)
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
See Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals), for “Full-time student” requirements.
Form 13614-C page 1 – Personal Information
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
See Publication 524, Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled for more information on totally disabled determination.
FORM 13614-C Page 1
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C Page 1 – Marital Status
POLL QUESTION 5:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Which of the following does not require a date to be entered on Page 1-Marital Status on Form 13614-C?
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C PAGE 1 - DEPENDENT INFORMATION
FORM 13614-C PAGES 1, 2, and 3 GRAY SHADED AREAS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C GRAY SHADED AREAS
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C, Page 2 - INCOME
Note: B/A means Basic unless… then A Advanced
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C PAGE 2 - SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Example 1: Taxpayer check box next to the question “Retirement account, pension or annuity proceeds”. If they have given you a Form 1099-R from an IRA distribution, ask “Is this your only distribution?”
FORM 13614-C – PAGE 2 - INCOME
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C – PAGE 2 - INCOME Example 2
Example 2: Taxpayer checks box next to the question “Interest or dividends (bank account, bonds, etc.)”. Taxpayer provides four interest documents and states they have an additional $50 in interest for which they didn’t receive a statement. Preparer tells quality reviewer about the $50 but doesn’t document Form 13614-C.
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C PAGE 3 - EXPENSES
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
See Publication 4012 for additional guidance.
FORM 13614-C PAGE 3 - LIFE EVENTS (NEW)
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C PAGE 3 - LIFE EVENTS
See Publication 4012 for additional guidance.
FORM 13614-C
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 13614-C PAGE 4 - OPTIONAL INFORMATION
POLL QUESTION 6:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
True or False: Taxpayers must sign the Global Carry Forward Consent Form?
FORM 15080
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
FORM 15080, CONSENT TO DISCLOSE
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Filing Status and Dependency Determinations
INTERVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Review Documentation
If the taxpayer has income or expenses listed on the return that do not require a source document and none were provided, notate
information on Form 13614-C in Additional Notes/Comments section.
Preparing the Tax Return
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
.
QUALITY REVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
.
QUALITY REVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Quality Review Methods
.
Designated Review – IRS-tax law certified volunteer is solely dedicated to reviewing tax returns prepared by other IRS-tax law certified volunteer preparers
Peer-to-Peer Review – IRS-tax law certified volunteer preparer quality reviews tax returns of another preparer
Self-Review is NOT allowed
Quality Review Process
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
An effective and thorough quality review process includes:
POLL QUESTION 7:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
What are the accepted methods for quality reviewing a return at a VITA/TCE site?
QUALITY REVIEW PROCESS
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
Concluding the Quality Review Process
TAXPAYER COPY PRINT SET
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
At a minimum, sites must provide:
SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
POLL QUESTION 8:
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
When must the taxpayer(s) be advised of their responsibility for the information listed on their tax return?
SUMMARY
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
In this course you learned:
SUMMARY
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)
You also learned:
Closing
TAXPAYER SERVICES STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION (SPEC)