What is the first step of the intake/interview process?

The first step of the intake/interview process involves ensuring that the return falls within the VITA/TCE program scope. This is a critical step because it establishes whether the taxpayer's situation and the type of tax return they need assistance with align with the guidelines and parameters set by the VITA/TCE program. By confirming that the return qualifies, coordinators can allocate resources efficiently and ensure that volunteers are not working on returns that the program is not equipped to handle. This initial assessment prevents overextending the program's capabilities and safeguards taxpayers from receiving potentially inaccurate or improperly handled tax advice.

Determining the required certification level of the tax return, verifying taxpayer identity, and assigning the return to a volunteer are important aspects of the process, but they follow the preliminary step of establishing program eligibility. Without confirming that the return is suitable for VITA/TCE services, the subsequent steps may not be applicable or necessary. Thus, ensuring the return falls within program scope is foundational to the intake/interview process.