• Before calling the client, read through the prepopulated intake sheet attached to their ticket in the Hub. Check to see if there is information missing or additional questions you want to ask.

  • The Prosper Tax Help program must confirm the identity of everyone on the tax return to avoid the potential for identity theft or tax fraud.

    To validate the identity of the primary taxpayer and spouse when in person, we compare the person with their photo ID. If we’re conducting an intake interview virtually, the taxpayer and spouse will send us a photo of their photo ID as well as a selfie of them holding their ID. This is so that we know the taxpayers are submitting their own documents. We will then compare the photo ID with the selfie to verify the person’s identity.

    To validate a Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, which we also call ITIN, an original or photocopy that is legible must be presented. Refer to the document titled “Confirming Identity and SSN or ITIN” for a more thorough list of all acceptable IDs and acceptable proof of Social Security number or ITIN.

  • Stop! You indicated the client has not submitted the required documents for tax preparation with our program. Please do not proceed with the intake interview call. Instead, please contact the client to let them know which documents we are missing and how to submit them to us.

  • The Prosper Tax Help income limit is $50,000 (adjusted gross income) for individuals, $75,000 for a tax household of 2-4 people, and we add $5,000 for each additional member beyond 4 people.

  • Stop! You indicated the client does not meet our income limit criteria, and does not qualify for an exception. Please do not proceed with the intake interview call.

    For those who are out of scope for our services or over our income limit:

    Alternative option 1: Prepare your taxes online using MyFreeTaxes:

    There is another option for those whose returns are out of scope, over the income limit, or for those who do not want to wait in line: you can prepare your return using MyFreeTaxes, an online software that benefits the Tax Help program. The software is free for the tax returns with less than $66,000 in income. For higher incomes, fees apply.

    Every tax return completed for zip codes within our service area is counted by the IRS as part of the Tax Help program’s impact. Please share the link with your friends and family! Visit www.myfreetaxes.com.

    2020 Updates: MyFreeTaxes does not have an income limit this year. BUT Schedule C, D, and E are not free.

    Support is available 10am-10pm (ET) 7 days per week at 866-698-9435 or via chat on the website.

    Alternative option 2: Get your taxes prepared for free with AARP:

    Another option for those who are over the VITA income limit and would like assistance preparing their return is a local AARP Tax-Aide. Tax preparation services are free. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or call 2-1-1.

  • Call the client.

    If they indicate they are ready for their interview, ask them to verify the last four digits of their SSN/ITIN.
  • Preliminary Screening Questions

    Begin by asking the client the following questions:
  • Intake Specialist: Please let the taxpayer know an IP PIN issued in 2021 is required in order to electronically file their tax return.

  • You indicated the client is here on an F, J, M or Q Visa. You can either use this screening tool to determine whether the client will file a 1040 or 1040-NR OR you can select below that you are unsure and someone else will screen the client.

  • You indicated the client should file a 1040-NR or that are unsure which form the client should file.

    • If working virtually, please stop the interview and ask the Intake Lead to assign the ticket to Rania.
    • If working in person, please stop the interview but still upload all tax documents (minus this intake checklist) to a ticket and ask the Intake Lead to assign the ticket to Rania.

    In all cases, please tell the client that someone will be in touch within 1 week to determine what tax form the client needs to file and continue the tax filing process.

  • You indicated the client is not a US citizen or permanent resident. Please use this screening tool to determine whether the client meets the Substantial Presence Test and whether they will file a 1040 or a 1040NR.

  • This return may be out of scope for VITA.

    • If working virtually, please stop the interview and ask the Intake Lead to assign the ticket to Rania.
    • If working in person, please stop the interview but still upload all tax documents (minus this intake checklist) to a ticket and ask the Intake Lead to assign the ticket to Rania.

    In all cases, please tell the client that someone will be in touch within 1 week to determine which form the client needs to file and whether we can prepare the tax return for them.

  • Basic Information

  • Intake Specialist: Since you indicated the taxpayer wishes to file as Married Filing Separately (MFS), refer to the Filing Status & Dependents section of CTC Resources to see when we can or cannote prepare an MFS return. Please note: Taxpayers living in another state may or may not have to meet all of the stated requirements. Stop and check with your Intake Lead if a taxpayer who wishes to file Married Filing Separately does live in another state.

  • Dependents

    Does the client have anyone listed in Part II of the Intake sheet? Enter qualifying information for each of the taxpayer's dependents, below:
  • Health Insurance

    Questions in this section will depend on the tax year you indicated earlier in this form.
  • You indicated the taxpayer is not filing a return for a tax year between 2014-2018. You may skip questions regarding health insurance and MEC.

  • You indicated the taxpayer is filing a return for a tax year between 2014-2018. The following questions will ask about MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) for everyone on the returrn, as well as whether or not they qualified for an exception.

    Refer to the Affordable Care Act section on CTC Resources for more information on MEC and exemptions.

  • Health Savings Account

  • Education Credits

    1098-T and Account Summary
  • Enter the first student's name below and then answer the questions that follow. If there are multiple students on the return, you'll have space to enter their information afterwards.

  • State Returns


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  • Since the taxpayer won't upload a copy of the prior year state return, please ask them the following:

  • Retirement Income

  • For each Form 1099-R that the taxpayer presents, check to see what appears in Box 2a and Box 2b.

    • If Box 2a on the 1099-R has any amount in it, including “0," the taxable portion of the distribution has been determined and the return is Basic.
    • If Box 2a is empty and Box 2b is checked, the return is Advanced and we have to ask the taxpayer for more information.
  • For each Form 1099-R where Box 2a is empty and Box 2b is checked, please answer the followiing series of questions.

    You may refer to this tool to help you answer the questions.

    If there are multiple instances of annuties where Box 2a is empty and Box 2b is checked (ie. the taxable amount has not been determined), you'll have space to enter information for additional annuities afterwards.

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  • Child Care Expenses

  • Enter information for the first child care provider below. If there are multiple child care providers to enter, you'll have space to enter more providers afterwards.

  • Self-Employment Income

  • Complete the self-employment worksheet (English) (Spanish) with the taxpayer over the phone OR send it to them via the Hub.

  • Self-Employment Business 1

  • Since you indicated you paid employees, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept a home office, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated over $35,000 in business expenses, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you are to report a business loss, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept an inventory, this makes the return is out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  •  
  •  
  • Car and Truck Expenses (Do not include miles from home to first job of day or last job of day to home. These are commuting miles):

  • Vehicle Year *
    Vehicle Make *
    Vehicle Model   *   
    Date placed in service: Pick a Date*   

  •  
  • Now, ask the following additional questions:

  • Self-Employment Business 2

  • Since you indicated you paid employees, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept a home office, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated over $35,000 in business expenses, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you are to report a business loss, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept an inventory, this makes the return is out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  •  
  •  
  • Car and Truck Expenses (Do not include miles from home to first job of day or last job of day to home. These are commuting miles):

  • Vehicle Year *
    Vehicle Make *
    Vehicle Model   *   
    Date placed in service: Pick a Date*   

  •  
  • Now, ask the following additional questions:

  • Self-Employment Business 3

  • Since you indicated you paid employees, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept a home office, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated over $35,000 in business expenses, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you are to report a business loss, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept an inventory, this makes the return is out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  •  
  •  
  • Car and Truck Expenses (Do not include miles from home to first job of day or last job of day to home. These are commuting miles):

  • Vehicle Year *
    Vehicle Make *
    Vehicle Model   *   
    Date placed in service: Pick a Date*   

  •  
  • Now, ask the following additional questions:

  • Self-Employment Business 4

  • Since you indicated you paid employees, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept a home office, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated over $35,000 in business expenses, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you are to report a business loss, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept an inventory, this makes the return is out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  •  
  •  
  • Car and Truck Expenses (Do not include miles from home to first job of day or last job of day to home. These are commuting miles):

  • Vehicle Year *
    Vehicle Make *
    Vehicle Model   *   
    Date placed in service: Pick a Date*   

  •  
  • Now, ask the following additional questions:

  • Self-Employment Business 5

  • Since you indicated you paid employees, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated you kept a home office, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.

  • Since you indicated over $35,000 in business expenses, this makes the return out of scope for VITA. You may continue the interview but then please refer the case to our Special Tax Services (STS) Program.