Free Tax Help Available in Montana, Thanks to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance and preparation at sites around Montana from January 15 through April 15

Beginning on January 15, 2025 and continuing through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free in-person tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, celebrating its 57th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Since its inception, the program has served more than 50 million taxpayers.

Last year in Montana, 228 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers filed nearly 8,000 tax returns resulting in millions of dollars back in the pockets of Montanans. The program is offered at approximately 26 sites in Montana, including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

“Thanks to the amazing and dedicated volunteers here in Montana, we are able to help put tens of thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Montanans,” said AARP Montana State Director Tim Summers.  “It’s extremely important to make sure that any tax credits or refunds are not overlooked – to someone on a fixed income, every dollar counts. Even modest refunds can be helpful for many older Montanans.”

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers over 50 or have low to moderate income. AARP membership is not required. The program started in 1968 with just four volunteers working at one site. Today, nearly 35,000 volunteers serve taxpayers at 5,000 locations nationwide.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. Its volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code.           

To find an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site or more information, including which documents to bring to the tax site, visit https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669).

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers can help with most, but not all, tax returns. For those with an extremely complicated return, such as one that involves a small business with employees, rental income, or alternative minimum tax (AMT), Tax-Aide may not be able to help.

Montana-Specific Tax-Aide site: https://mt1.taxaide.aarpfoundation.org
Website: taxaide.aarpfoundation.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AARPFoundation
Twitter: @AARPFoundation
Email: taxaide@aarp.org
Phone: 888-227-7669

An appointment can be made by calling 406-616-3080 beginning January 15^th, 2025 and leaving the requested information. Taxes are being prepared on Thursday and Saturday beginning February 6^th, 2025 through April 12^th at the Rocky Mountain Development Helena Senior Center located at 200 South Cruse Avenue. Call early as appointments are limited and fill up fast.

The Same Day-Drop Off tax method is being used again for Tax Year 2024 whereby the taxpayer arrives at their appointed time and a trained Tax-Aide volunteer reviews all tax documents to ensure that all necessary information is available and that the return is not beyond Tax-Aide designated scope of practice. Once the initial review is completed, the taxpayer will leave and return at a designated time in the afternoon to review their completed return and authorize e-filing of the Federal and State returns.