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Skip Navigation LinksDepartments & Services > Public Service > VITA > Mandatory VITA Training – January 19, 2008

Mandatory VITA Training – January 19, 2008

Dear Law Students,

Here are a few reminders regarding the program:

  1. If you plan to participate and haven't already turned in a Public Service commitment form, please find one on the Public Service Program website or click on: Confirmation Agreement; fill it out and return it to Lynn Moubry in Carr Collins Hall - room 309.

  2. Publication 4491 (Student Training Guide), Publication 4480 (Link & Learn Taxes Kit) and Publication 17 (Your Federal Income Tax - tax table book) will be placed in student mailboxes after final exams. There are two options concerning the VITA test (both options will receive the same credit hours):

Option 1: Complete the VITA Basic and Intermediate tests prior to the mandatory training session on January 19, 2008 and submit the both printed score sheets and certificates to Mark Melton via Storey Hall box or Lynn Moubry - Carr Collins Hall, room 309. If you choose this option, you will be excused from the VITA training session around 1 p.m. after the IRS tax/software training.

Option 2: Complete the VITA test during the mandatory training session on January 19, 2008. If you choose this option you will stay and complete the VITA test from 1 pm to (no later than) 4 pm after the IRS software training.

  1. We will send an email out during Winter Break requesting reply confirmation that you plan to attend the mandatory January 19th training.

  2. Each law student should submit your site selections on the Schedule Request form to Lynn Moubry via the VITA website. Request dates/times/site locations on or before the mandatory January 19th training.

  3. The logistics of public service hours and the program are listed below for your reference.

Please email us if you have further questions. We look forward to working with you.

Regards,

Mark Melton, VITA 2008 Student Director
mmelton@smu.edu

Lynn Moubry, Public Service Program Assistant
Lmoubry@smu.edu

Logistics of Public Service Hours and the VITA Program

VITA is a great program, and we are looking forward to working with you.

The SMU Law Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps individuals in the Dallas community prepare tax return information on computers and ultimately transmit them electronically to the IRS. SMU law students help to prepare basic income tax returns free of charge at VITA sites for individuals of low to moderate income, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking taxpayers and the elderly.

Logistics of the program are as follows:

  1. All SMU law student participants attend a mandatory VITA training session on Saturday, January 19th, 9 am to 4pm in the Walsh Classroom - Underwood Law Library. ***Note this is not an optional training session; you receive credit hours for attendance.***

  2. Each SMU law student plans his/her own attendance schedule at desired site(s) during the VITA Program Period (Jan 26, 2008 - Apr 12, 2008) online. Please email Lynn Moubry [Lmoubry@smu.edu] with any changes to your schedule, so that she can update the VITA coordinators with a weekly schedule online.

  3. Each SMU law student participant must record of the number of hours worked in the field on a Student Log.

  4. Upon completion of 30 hours (22 field + 8 training), a Supervisory Report must be signed by your VITA coordinator to certify completion. Fulfillment of the Public Service graduation requirement will be forwarded to the law registrar by Lynn Moubry [Lmoubry@smu.edu] with a copy emailed to the student.

Specifically regarding hours of credit:

  1. A student need not earn a full 30 hours in the VITA program to receive Public Service credit. Most students complete 30 hours through the program, but a student is allowed to split his/her public service requirement hours with another program to complete 30 hours.

  2. Credit for the training session will be on a "matching" basis. For example, if a SMU law student attends training for 8 hours and works 8 hours in the field (8 field + 8 training), then 16 hours of credit will be awarded. If a SMU law student attends training for 8 hours and works 3 hours in the field, only 6 hours (3 field + 3 training) will be awarded. Finally, if a SMU Law student attends training for 8 hours and works 22 hours in the field, then 30 hours (22 field + 8 training) will be awarded.

Specifically regarding site locations:

  1. A student may attend any site listed on the SMU VITA site list during the day and time associated with the particular site. Remember that site positions have a limited number of openings each day and will be closed when filled.

  2. If a student has requested a certain site location/time and can not attend, he/she must email Lynn Moubry BEFORE such non-attendance. This will give us time to notify the site that the law student will not be there and a possible replacement can be found.

Please email Mark Melton or Lynn Moubry with questions regarding the VITA program. Please fill out a Public Service Commitment form Confirmation Agreement (see the Public Service website), and return it to Lynn Moubry in Carr Collins Hall – room 309 if you plan to participate.

Thanks for your interest, and we'll see you in January!

Regards,

Mark Melton, VITA 2008 Student Director
mmelton@smu.edu

Lynn Moubry, Public Service Program Assistant
Lmoubry@smu.edu