AARP Foundation Announces New Tax-Aide Leadership in Louisiana

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has selected Byron Johnson as the new Louisiana State Coordinator. Johnson, a New Orleanian and retired BellSouth manager, has volunteered with Tax-Aide for eight tax seasons and hopes to encourage more volunteers to become leaders in the program.

“More and more I am gaining an appreciation for the importance of AARP Tax-Aide,” Johnson said. “Often during tax season, clients have expressed relief, excitement and gratitude for our service.”

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 46 ^th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service , giving special attention the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

Outgoing Louisiana State Coordinator Don Moe said he will continue his service with Tax-Aide as a local coordinator and counselor supervising two sites. Moe, of Luling, Louisiana, served with Louisiana Tax-Aide for 11 years and was presented with the Tax-Aide Fellow Award in 2014.

“Tax-Aide is a very important service provided to low- and moderate-income tax filers, particularly to those age 60 and up,” Moe said. “If these people did not use the services provided by Tax-Aide, they would have to pay for assistance, which is very expensive and a burden on those with low income.”

“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,” said Denise Bottcher, interim state director, AARP Louisiana.

Last year, 311 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 22,591 people file their federal, state and local tax returns in Louisiana. The program is offered at approximately 48 sites in Louisiana including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide thrives due to the remarkable efforts of its volunteer base. With nearly 50 million low- to moderate-income taxpayers helped and growing, Tax-Aide is always seeking new volunteers. Lack of experience shouldn’t stop anyone from volunteering. Tax volunteers must complete a tax preparation workshop from the Internal Revenue Service prior to working with taxpayers. There is also a need for grass-roots leadership, on-site greeters, and those who can provide language assistance in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.