Certification for Returning Counselors
Certification for Returning Counselors
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For use by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers only. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide creates materials for exclusive use by Tax-Aide volunteers only. All other use is prohibited unless written permission is granted.
Federal Return IRS Certification
Federal Return IRS Certification
The certification process begins with training that consists of a combination of self-study, classroom and Google Meet instruction, workshops, and NTTC Workbook exercises (tax returns). Training provides coverage of the major components of the Tax-Aide return preparation process, including:
The certification process begins with training that consists of a combination of self-study, classroom and Google Meet instruction, workshops, and NTTC Workbook exercises (tax returns). Training provides coverage of the major components of the Tax-Aide return preparation process, including:
Understanding and applying federal and home state tax law
Understanding and applying federal and home state tax law
Screening and interviewing taxpayers
Screening and interviewing taxpayers
Using reference, resources, and tools
Using reference, resources, and tools
Conducting quality reviews
Conducting quality reviews
TaxSlayer, tax software provided by IRS for our use, provides a practice lab for training and working the exercises. See Instructions for Accessing Practice Lab and Creating an Account.
TaxSlayer, tax software provided by IRS for our use, provides a practice lab for training and working the exercises. See Instructions for Accessing Practice Lab and Creating an Account.
The successful completion of the assigned minimum set of exercises is required for certification. All tax counselors are encouraged to work as many exercises as possible. See NTTC Workbook on this site for the list of recommended exercises.
The successful completion of the assigned minimum set of exercises is required for certification. All tax counselors are encouraged to work as many exercises as possible. See NTTC Workbook on this site for the list of recommended exercises.
IRS and AARP Required Tests and Courses
IRS and AARP Required Tests and Courses
AARP Test Requirements
AARP Test Requirements
Volunteers must successfully complete the following IRS tests for certification:
Volunteers must successfully complete the following IRS tests for certification:
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Test (all)
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Test (all)
Intake/Interview and Quality Review Test (all except Support Facilitators/Greeters)
Intake/Interview and Quality Review Test (all except Support Facilitators/Greeters)
Advanced Test (TCs)
Advanced Test (TCs)
In addition to the above tests, all tax counselors completing returns for active duty military personnel must also successfully complete:
In addition to the above tests, all tax counselors completing returns for active duty military personnel must also successfully complete:
Military Test (TCs)
Military Test (TCs)
All Local Coordinators and Shift Coordinators, in addition to the above, must successfully complete:
All Local Coordinators and Shift Coordinators, in addition to the above, must successfully complete:
Site Coordinator Test
Site Coordinator Test
AARP Required e-Courses on Portal Training Tab
AARP Required e-Courses on Portal Training Tab
All volunteers must complete the following courses:
All volunteers must complete the following courses:
Returning counselors may take Module 1, which is a 10 question test. They will have one chance to score at least 80% to test out of taking the full courses. If they score less than 80%, they will be directed to Module 2 since there will be no re-test.
Module 2 is the full course content. New volunteers will be directed to Module 2.
All Local Coordinators and Shift Coordinators, in addition to the above courses, must successfully complete:
All Local Coordinators and Shift Coordinators, in addition to the above courses, must successfully complete:
First year District Coordinators, in addition to the above courses, must complete:
First year District Coordinators, in addition to the above courses, must complete:
All tests are contained in the test booklet, IRS Pub 6744 VITA/TCE Volunteer Assistor's Test/Retest. This version contains the errata page for Pub 6744.
All tests are contained in the test booklet, IRS Pub 6744 VITA/TCE Volunteer Assistor's Test/Retest. This version contains the errata page for Pub 6744.
Client Facilitator Tests - Pub 6744 shortened version contains just Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview & QR Tests for CF's.
Client Facilitator Tests - Pub 6744 shortened version contains just Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview & QR Tests for CF's.
Other IRS resources:
Other IRS resources:
Beginning with TY22, IRS requires all volunteers to use VITA/TCE Central to register, record test answers, certify, and receive their signed Volunteer Agreement. Keep reading for more info!
Beginning with TY22, IRS requires all volunteers to use VITA/TCE Central to register, record test answers, certify, and receive their signed Volunteer Agreement. Keep reading for more info!
Guidance for using Link & Learn for Taking the IRS Certification Tests Online.
A popular approach for taking the exams is to complete the exams in Pub 6744 using the Practice Lab (TRAINPROWEB) as necessary. Each exam has a companion set of retest questions in Pub 6744 that should be completed as a crosscheck for the exam. The test consists of mini-scenarios and tax preparation scenarios based on tax year 2022 values for deductions, exemptions, tax, or credits. The mini-scenarios do not require you to prepare a tax return. For each of the mini-scenarios, read the interview notes for each scenario carefully and use your training and resource materials to answer the questions after the scenarios. The tax preparation scenarios require you to complete a sample tax return. You can use the Practice Lab to prepare the sample returns. Answer the questions following the scenario.
When you have finished the test and retest exams, you are ready to go online at VITA/TCE Central and use Link & Learn to record your answers. Read each question carefully before entering your answers online. The IRS requires use of VITA/TCE Central to record your answers, certify, and received your Volunteer Agreement.
Once you submit your responses, Link & Learn will grade your test, provide you with an immediate score, and allow you to print or save your Form 13615, Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement.
A score of 80% or higher is required for certification.
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement
Volunteer Standards of Conduct Agreement
Form 13615
After completing and passing all the exams at VITA/TCE Central, create your signed Volunteer SOC Agreement by checking the box for signature and downloading a PDF copy of your agreement. No need to print, sign, and scan to create signed copy.
After completing and passing all the exams at VITA/TCE Central, create your signed Volunteer SOC Agreement by checking the box for signature and downloading a PDF copy of your agreement. No need to print, sign, and scan to create signed copy.
Submit your PDF copy as instructed by your LC (typically to your district admin).
Submit your PDF copy as instructed by your LC (typically to your district admin).
Virginia State Return Certification
Virginia State Return Certification
Training for Virginia state returns is provided as part of the state certification process. In Virginia, all tax counselors may treat the assigned NTTC Workbook exercises as being for Virginia residents. The Virginia Volunteer Resource Guide, and the VA training slide deck are available for reference.
Training for Virginia state returns is provided as part of the state certification process. In Virginia, all tax counselors may treat the assigned NTTC Workbook exercises as being for Virginia residents. The Virginia Volunteer Resource Guide, and the VA training slide deck are available for reference.
Returns for Other States Certification
Returns for Other States Certification
In addition to training on Virginia returns, some districts may provide training for tax returns for other states and assign additional exercises for those states. The other states are normally bordering jurisdictions such as Maryland (link to MD slide deck), District of Columbia (link to DC slide deck), West Virginia (link to WV slide deck), or North Carolina (link to NC slide deck). TSO e-filing may be used only for states for which tax counselors have been trained and, therefore, certified.
In addition to training on Virginia returns, some districts may provide training for tax returns for other states and assign additional exercises for those states. The other states are normally bordering jurisdictions such as Maryland (link to MD slide deck), District of Columbia (link to DC slide deck), West Virginia (link to WV slide deck), or North Carolina (link to NC slide deck). TSO e-filing may be used only for states for which tax counselors have been trained and, therefore, certified.
Sites may rely on the Tax-Aide State Tax Assistance Program (STAP) for help with other states. A typical situation is someone moving into Virginia who needs to file a part-year return for the state they left. This part-year return is usually best left to tax counselors trained in that state's tax law. With LC approval, this can be accomplished via STAP.
Sites may rely on the Tax-Aide State Tax Assistance Program (STAP) for help with other states. A typical situation is someone moving into Virginia who needs to file a part-year return for the state they left. This part-year return is usually best left to tax counselors trained in that state's tax law. With LC approval, this can be accomplished via STAP.
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