Volunteer during tax season and make someone's year

As tax time creeps closer with each passing day, we at AARP Colorado want to provide you with some basic information about the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program and how you can volunteer to help others seeking assistance. For more details, call 1-888-227-7669, or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Q: What is Tax-Aide?

A: AARP Tax-Aide is a national program that offers free tax preparation services to low- and middle-income people, with a particular focus on people 50-plus. Colorado’s 600 Tax-Aide volunteers served more than 30,000 people last year, saving them more than $3.2 million.

Q: Do volunteers need to be AARP members or retirees to participate?

A: Volunteers do not need to be AARP members or retirees to participate. Tax-Aide is particularly in need of volunteers who are bilingual in English and Spanish to support the increasing number of Spanish-speaking tax payers seeking assistance.

Q: Do potential volunteers need prior experience filling out taxes?

A: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers receive free tax training and are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program–related expenses. They help taxpayers at more than 51 sites around the state, learning new skills while helping countless families. In fact, Tax-Aide has assisted tens of thousands of people in preparing and filing their tax returns. It couldn't be done without the help of hundreds of volunteers who make an indelible mark on the communities they serve.

Q: Where is help needed the most?

A: Tax-Aide needs all volunteers, but it is particularly in need of volunteers who are bilingual in English and Spanish to support the increasing number of Spanish-speaking taxpayers seeking assistance.

Q: How many people are usually helped by AARP Tax-Aide?

A: In Colorado, AARP Tax-Aide operates more than 51 sites and last year helped more than 30,000 taxpayers all at no cost, preparing 20,000 Federal tax returns, as well as a variety of State of Colorado forms. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax assistance in preparing tax returns and serves people with an average income of about $24,000.