Training Materials
Welcome! Thank you for volunteering, and we look forward to seeing you at training. Find the training materials below for your specific role and certification level. Before training, please watch CASH’s Introduction to Tax Law webinar.
CASH Volunteer Trainings
Please email lucy@cashmd.org to request the PowerPoint version of a training.
Looking for the Community Resource Navigator Training? Visit the Tax Time Financial Capability page!
Quick Training Resources - NEW!
- Pub. 4012-A (updated with accurate tax law)
- Video: How to Explain the Tax Return to the Client
- Video: How to Explain the Tax Return (1040-SR) to the Client
- Tax Tips: Pell Grants & Education Credits
- Tax Tips: Deciding to Itemize
- Tax Tips: Filing Requirement for Social Security Recipients
- Tax Tips: 1099-R Retirement Income
Volunteer Training Slides & Recordings
TY25 Tax Law Topic Trainings
- Basic Tax Law: Understanding Form 1040
- Basic Tax Law: Retirement Income, Education Credits, Taxable Refunds, and Daycare Credit
- Intake, Interview & Quality Review
- Itemization
- Capital Gains & Losses
- Advanced Retirement Income
- Advanced Tax Credits
- Self-Employment & Schedule C
- Health Savings Accounts
- Cancellation of Debt
- Maryland State Return
- MD Homeowner & Renter Credits
- 2025 Tax Law Updates
Practice Tax Scenarios
Need to create an account? Check out the instructions here.
Looking for TY2024 practice returns? Email lucy@cashmd.org
Basic Scenarios
Advanced Scenarios
Taking the IRS Certification Tests
Accessing the Link and Learn Certification Site Handout
VITA Test/Retest Booklet (Pub. 6744)
Volunteers must pass:
- Volunteer Standards of Conduct
- Intake/Interview & Quality Review
- Basic or Advanced Certification
A passing score is 80%. There is a retest available for all tests. (You can only take each retest ONE time. Please reach out to CASH before you retest to ensure you understand the material.)
All tests are open book. Use your resources!
Volunteer Standards of Conduct: Publication 4961
Intake/Interview & Quality Review: Publication 5101
Basic and Advanced Certification: Publication 4012
The basic and advanced certifications both consist of 9 scenarios. Three of them require you to prepare a tax return.
Vita.taxslayerpro.com
Select “Practice Lab”
Password: TRAINPROWEB
Submitting answers via Link & Learn:
- Visit linklearntaxescertification.com
- Create an account
- Click “Take certification test”
- Select “Basic” or “Advanced”
Submitting your signed Volunteer Agreement:
- After passing all 3 tests, click “Sign Form 13615”
- Sign form via website
- Download signed form and send to madison@cashmd.org
Test Tips
Site Manager Training Materials
Please email lucy@cashmd.org to request the PowerPoint version of a training.
Training Presentations
- Site Coordinator Training Pt. 1 (IRS Policies & Site Management)
- Site Coordinator Training Pt. 2 (Tax Prep Process)
- Site Coordinator Training Pt. 3 (Client Management & Resources)
- Volunteer Management
- Complicated Tax Scenarios Pt. 1
- Complicated Tax Scenarios Pt. 2
- Tax Law Updates
- Complicated State Returns
- Tax Time Financial Capability
Training Recordings
Additional Trainings
TY25 Legislative Updates (Jan. 2026)
Foreign Student/Scholar Training (Jan. 2026)
Dynamics Training: Client and Volunteer Scheduling (Jan. 2026)
Multi-State Returns Training (Jan. 2026)
Resource Partner Presentations (Jan. 2026)
- Healthcare Access Maryland
- Economic Action (Homeowner/Renter’s Credit)
- Maryland Volunteer Legal Service
Amendment & Transcript Training (May 2025)
TaxSlayer Administration Training (Jan. 2025)
Training Materials from Other VITA Programs
- VITA-Train | Prosperity Now
- VITA Resources | United Way of Central Florida
- Tax Season Resources | Foundation Communities
- Tax Site Volunteer Training | Prepare+Prosper
- Marketplace (Health Insurance) Deep Dive | UW of Southwest Alabama
- Dear Iris Letters | UW of Southwest Alabama (PW: TRAINPROWEB)
- OBBBA Training Guide | UW of Southwest Alabama (PW: TRAINPROWEB)