AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Free Tax Prep Begins February 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2014

Contact: Charee Gillins
626-585-2606
cgillins@aarp.org
@ChareeGillins

AARP FOUNDATION TAX-AIDE WILL PROVIDE FREE TAX ASSISTANCE AND PREPARATION BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2014

( Pasadena, CA) – This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 45th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention those 60 and older. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this free service.

“Tax-Aide is one of the hallmark programs of AARP Foundation. Its success is the direct result of dedicated, trained volunteers who spend countless hours helping people get the tax refunds they deserve. Last year AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helped California residents secure over $92 million in income tax refunds and nearly $17 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs),” said Katie Hirning, State Director, AARP California.

In 2013, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide’s 35,000 volunteers at nearly 6,000 sites provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $244 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs).

Last year, 2,960 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 190,863 Californians file their federal, state and local tax returns. The program is offered at approximately 465 sites in California including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

Some sites offer assistance in additional languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese, among others. For more information or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org .

# # #