{"id":237619,"date":"2025-10-31T18:52:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T18:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evertise.net\/?p=127644"},"modified":"2025-10-31T18:52:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T18:52:18","slug":"the-first-bilingual-tax-guide-and-online-training-platform-could-help-thousands-of-low-income-americans-access-millions-in-tax-refunds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipsnews.net\/business\/2025\/10\/31\/the-first-bilingual-tax-guide-and-online-training-platform-could-help-thousands-of-low-income-americans-access-millions-in-tax-refunds\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Bilingual Tax Guide and Online Training Platform Could Help Thousands of Low-Income Americans Access Millions in Tax Refunds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mauldin, South Carolina \u2014 <\/b>A new national initiative led by tax professional\u00a0Carmen-Adriana Vlad, an IRS Enrolled Agent and founder of\u00a0Competent Accounting LLC \/ Tax Pro Accounting LLC, aims to modernize how volunteers are trained to deliver free, accurate tax preparation. The project\u2014the\u00a0first bilingual (English\u2013Spanish) IRS-aligned training guidebook and online learning platform\u00a0for\u00a0Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)\u2014seeks to streamline education, improve filing accuracy, and return\u00a0hundreds of millions of dollars\u00a0in tax refunds to low-income households each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Across more than\u00a03,000\u00a0VITA sites, close to\u00a0100,000\u00a0volunteers help about\u00a03.2 million\u00a0Americans file tax returns annually, securing billions of dollars in refunds and credits for families who often cannot afford paid tax preparation. Yet the training landscape can be fragmented for first-time or bilingual volunteers, with materials scattered across modules, local practices, and seasonal updates. Vlad\u2019s initiative addresses that gap by delivering a single, standardized system that pairs a\u00a0plain-language guidebook\u00a0with a\u00a0free, public e-learning lab\u00a0featuring interactive lessons, annual tax-law updates, certification-prep practice, and realistic client simulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is simple: make accurate tax filing and volunteer training accessible to everyone,\u201d said Vlad. \u201cBy combining technology, bilingual education, and community service, we can help families claim the refunds they\u2019ve earned while lifting the capacity and confidence of volunteer teams nationwide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on IRS and United Way program statistics, each VITA volunteer assists\u00a035\u201340\u00a0taxpayers per season, returning roughly\u00a0$100,000\u00a0in refunds to local communities. Modeling a modest growth in certified volunteers by\u00a05\u201310%\u00a0(about\u00a04,500\u20139,000\u00a0new volunteers) suggests capacity for an additional\u00a0150,000\u2013360,000\u00a0tax returns each year. With refunds averaging around\u00a0$2,000 per household, that expansion translates to an estimated\u00a0$300\u2013$720 million\u00a0more in refunds flowing to American families annually. The platform\u2019s design centers on\u00a0accuracy,\u00a0language access, and\u00a0confidence-building, so volunteers can deliver consistent service even as federal and state rules evolve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key features include:<\/span><\/p>\n