1NTTC Training 2009

TRS Survey 2010 and What's New for 2010

What do we need to work on this year?

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What did we ask and what will we be working on in 2010?

• We polled all TRS’ in all states – 46 responded;

• What resources did you use?

• What worked well for you?

• What can we do to make our training more effective?

• Product development teams – schedule

• New In-Scope items for 2010

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What resources did you use?• 84.1% said they used the power point slides on the ExtraNet –

saying they were helpful or very helpful;

• Many said were very helpful and were able to modify for local use;

• Those that felt they were not helpful – talked about lack of detail – assumes tax knowledge

• 12 of 29 responses indicated a need to modify or incorporate local problems or situations

• A few incorporated screen shots of TaxWise, forms, or word documents used in class

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What Additional Support do you need?

• Many want more short problems to work in class – 4491W has too many long or comprehensive problems that take too much time in class;

• More TaxWise training;

• Use more on-line teaching;

• Need corrections sooner – i.e. tax law changes or TaxWise updates.

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TRS Conference Calls and Webinar – did they help?

• 68.6% said they were helpful or very helpful;

• Sharing ideas and discussing issues were very helpful;

• Hearing things first hand and discussions were fantastic;

• Great tool for communication and keeping states informed;

• Webinars worked very well – kept on task and allowed questions;

• Webinar difficult when holding the phone and handling the computer;

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What IRS Publications do you use in Training?

• Most TRS’ in the survey responded to this question (36 responses);

• 20 listed Pub 4012 as the number one resource, all but one listed it as number two;

• 8 listed Pub 17 as number one or two;

• Only 3 or 4 considered Pub 4491 as number one or two (however

all listed Pub 4491 in their list of resources).

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What worked well or What would you change?

• Using more computer training worked well;

• Using half-day training schedules (i.e. some Districts use 11 one-half day classes);

• Spend less time “hyping” the program, spend more time on substance;

• Pub 4012 used the most – great improvement;

• Use Power Point slides along with local prepared lessons;

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(continued)

• We should separate TaxWise from training materials – teach separately;

• Should “highlight” changes in Pub 4491 – especially for returning volunteers;

• Need a publication that spells out changes and how to handle;

• Need current TaxWise program earlier for instructor workshops.

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Questions/Discussion

Thank You

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