Bipartisan collaboration by two Florida Congressmen helps thousands of older Floridians, sets positive example for nation

For immediate release
Dec. 18, 2014

Contact:
Dave Bruns
dbruns@aarp.org

 

Bipartisan collaboration by two Florida Congressmen helps thousands of older Floridians, sets positive example for nation

Out of the media spotlight, U.S. Reps. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, and Ander Crenshaw, R-Jacksonville, worked together to help volunteers help older taxpayers

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Working together without fanfare, two Florida members of Congress cooperated in recent weeks to provide extra support for volunteers nationwide who have worked tirelessly to help millions of low- and moderate-income taxpayers, especially those age 60+, prepare their tax returns.

Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, worked with the U.S. House’s floor manager for the recently adopted budget legislation, Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Jacksonville, to provide $7 million for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program administered by the federal government. The funding represents the highest funding level the program has ever achieved.

“This is a win for Floridians, a win for the U.S. taxpayer and a win for the spirit of bipartisan cooperation for the public good,” said AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson. “On behalf of the many thousands of older Floridians who will benefit from this initiative, I want to thank Congressmen Crenshaw and Grayson.”

Dollars from the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program go to pay the administrative costs of volunteers who work nationwide to help low- to moderate-income taxpayers prepare their tax returns. Volunteers are certified by the IRS and provide tax preparation assistance without cost to taxpayers.

The program supports about 36,000 volunteers, including more than 3,000 volunteers in Florida, who work in AARP Foundation’s nationally recognized Tax-Aide program providing free assistance to taxpayers with low to moderate incomes. Last year, Tax-Aide volunteers helped 2.6 million taxpayers nationally, including 213,000 in Florida.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www. aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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