The SPEC Training Product fact sheet lists 4012 as becoming an electronic only publication after 2017 filing season. 4012 is a critical quality resource for the VITA program. I believe it is essential that the IRS reconsider this decision that will have negative impacts on return accuracy at VITA.
I have difficultly understanding what budget expenditure IRS SPEC could make that would have more benefit to the quality and accuracy of VITA return preparation than printing 4012. In addition, IRS Quality Site Requirement 4 requires VITA programs to have tax preparation reference resources at VITA tax sites. So in essence, the IRS decision to not print the publication 4012 is simply a cost shift to its VITA partners who will need to print 4012 or purchase another product.
As a consultant to this field, I would be happy to take advantage of the business opportunity to develop a 4012 replacement that VITA partners can print at lower cost than the IRS digital 4012. However, I believe it is in the best interest of VITA that the IRS continue printing hard copies of the 4012. I hope readers of this blog will let their SPEC relationship managers know that you need the 4012 to continue as a printed document.
JC Craig Consulting 
HI JC!
I am on the tax list serv with you where you are such a wealth of info. I remember a great “experience/info” email string from many sites there about why it is not recommended to use Taxwise and their $199 offer next year in lieu of making the shift to Taxslayer. Please see email below first.
Problems I recall: Can’t use VITA grant funds for it (although he thinks you can?), won’t get any help with Taxwise reports from IRS (which is pretty big on it’s own), this year it is affordable and next year might triple so now or then – change is coming with a higher cost (especially with many sites)…it will become too expensive so why not make the change now…the list goes on.
Any time to respond to the gentleman below John Holcomb who might want to join our tax list serv, or just be able to hook him into the long, very well researched and thought provoking conversation email string that happened when we first found out about the Taxwise option that was still an option? He is the first one I see considering it still.
Thanks!
Suzanne
Suzanne Yeomans Financial Stability Program Officer – Earn it! Keep it! Save it! United Way of the Wine Country 975 Corporate Center Parkway, Suite 160 Santa Rosa, CA 95407 tel: 707.528.4485 ext 108 / fax: 707.528.2930 Recruiting Volunteers! United Way of the Wine Country is seeking volunteers who wish to train and serve as tax return preparers, greeters and resource coaches for the Earn it! Keep it! Save it!/VITA program in the 2017 tax season, January- April. No experience is necessary, and FREE certification training is provided. For more information or to register, go to http://www.unitedwaywinecountry.org today!
Clients welcome!Now, more than ever, you deserve to keep your money, especially during tax season. Earn It! Keep It! Save It! provides free, quality tax return preparation to low-to-moderate income individuals, families, and seniors. To qualify for FREE tax help, and receive the maximum refund you deserve, your household income must be $54,000 or less. Being a U.S. citizen is not a requirement. Visit http://www.unitedwaywinecountry.org for more information or dial 2-1-1 to make an appointment!
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Suzanne thanks for your comments. John can join the listserv by searching tax roundtable on yahoo groups.
I am going to increase content on this blog and promote it more so if you enjoy it let others know.
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