AARP Tax-Aide Turns 50!

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Beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through April 17, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, celebrating its 50 ^th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Since its inception, the program has served more than 50 million taxpayers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide started in 1968 with just four volunteers working at one site. Today, nearly 35,000 volunteers serve low- to moderate-income taxpayers at 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers nationwide. There’s no fee, and AARP membership is not required.

“The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is another example of AARP’s commitment to serving Nebraskans, with so many volunteers and locations spread throughout the state,” said Connie Benjamin, AARP Nebraska State Director. “We encourage all in need of this service to seek the help.”

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code. In 2017, the program’s volunteers helped 2.5 million people navigate complicated tax codes, ensure proper credits and deductions, and file their federal and state tax returns. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.37 billion in income tax refunds and more than $222 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). They also avoided any tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or refund loans.

Last year, 216 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers in Nebraska helped more than 14,698 people file their federal and state tax returns. The program is offered at approximately 24 sites in Nebraska, including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

To find an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site or more information, including which documents to bring to the tax site, visit nebraskataxaide.org or call 1-888-AARPNOW ( 1-888-227-7669 ). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.