UPDATE FROM SC DOR (10/8): SCDOR is BACK IN BUSINESS!           

Our issue with retrieving returns from IRS was resolved around 4 pm ET on Wednesday, October 7^th.   Major dent has been made in the backlog and hoping that all acks will be sent by end of day Friday, October 9^th if not sooner.

Please pass this update along to your customer service personnel.   We apologize for the inconvenience.

Vendors received the below messaging from South Carolina DOR this morning. The below means that transmitted SC returns will not receive an ack until this is resolved.

Join the SPEC Employee and Partner Zoom Session for important program updates, announcements, and information relevant to employees and partners. This session will feature a special presentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA) highlighting my Social Security (mySSA), including an overview of the online account, its key features and benefits, and how it can help individuals securely access Social Security services, manage their information, and plan for the future.

Watch the recording HERE.

Join us for the August SPEC Partner and Employee Zoom Session, featuring Gary Iskowitz, whose distinguished career reflects decades of service and leadership in tax administration, education, and volunteerism. Gary has had an extraordinary career with the IRS, taught at several universities, founded the California State University, Northridge VITA program in 1970, and served on both the Commissioner’s Advisory Group and the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. He also hosted a weekly tax segment on ABC Los Angeles’ Eyewitness News. His longstanding commitment to taxpayer service and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program continues to inspire volunteers and partners across the nation. The session will include a panel discussion with Mr. Iskowitz and representatives from the High School, College and University (HSCU) Team, Outreach Team, and Volunteer Recruitment Team, who will share insights, experiences, and best practices for strengthening volunteer recruitment and partner engagement.

Watch the recording HERE.

The SPEC Virtual Partner Recognition Ceremony celebrates the outstanding contributions of our community partners whose dedication and collaboration help expand access to free tax preparation services and financial education. This ceremony recognizes the invaluable role our partners play in advancing the SPEC mission and serving taxpayers across the nation.

Watch the recorded ceremony HERE.

The SPEC Military Recognition Ceremony honors the service and commitment of our military partners, volunteers, and organizations that support military members, veterans, and their families through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This ceremony recognizes their continued dedication to ensuring our military communities have access to quality tax preparation services and resources.

To view the recording, please CLICK HERE.

To watch the recording, please CLICK HERE. Closed captioning is available in this recording.

2026 Filing Season Updates Recording available HERE.

In order to increase awareness and provide information to SPEC partners, on Tuesday, May 5th, IRS SPEC hosted their monthly Employee and Partner Joint Webinar Session. The session was recorded and we want to make sure it is available for our partners and volunteers who were unable to join. All partners and volunteers are invited to view recording. If there are any questions or concern, please reach out to your Relationship Manager and SPEC will address your concerns and provide answers to your questions. Note: There were some technical difficulties during this session, we truly apologize for the inconvenience.

Recording available HERE.