Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Certification Practice Test

How should volunteers handle potential discrepancies found during the quality review?

1. Ignore them if the taxpayer is agreeable.

2. Document and discuss with the taxpayer for clarity.

3. Immediately report to a site coordinator.

4. Discuss only with fellow volunteers.

The correct answer is: Document and discuss with the taxpayer for clarity.

Handling potential discrepancies found during the quality review is critical to ensuring accurate tax preparation and compliance with IRS guidelines. Documenting and discussing discrepancies with the taxpayer for clarity fosters transparency and trust in the process. This approach allows volunteers to explain any issues or inconsistencies that may have arisen, ensuring that the taxpayer fully understands the situation and can provide any necessary additional information or corrections. By fostering open communication, the volunteer not only enhances the accuracy of the tax return but also empowers the taxpayer to be informed about their filing. This can lead to a better understanding of tax laws and tax responsibilities, ultimately benefiting the taxpayer in the long run. It’s important to engage the taxpayer in these discussions rather than simply making assumptions, which can lead to misunderstandings or unresolved issues. The other approaches do not promote accuracy or accountability. Ignoring discrepancies can lead to incorrect filings, while discussing issues only with fellow volunteers may omit the taxpayer's perspective or input. Reporting immediately to a site coordinator serves a purpose, but the primary step must involve engaging the taxpayer directly.