It’s Tax Season and AARP Foundation has a FREE Tax-Aide Program that may help you!

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation program, was founded in 1968 by four AARP volunteers. Today, more than 35,000 volunteers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia serve at 6,100+ Tax-Aide sites from February 1 to April 15. Since its inception, this program has helped nearly 50 million low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the U.S. Tax Code.

Because of the complexity of the U.S. Tax Code, struggling taxpayers 50+ may overpay their taxes or have to rely on expensive and, for too many, unaffordable professional tax preparation services. Many have particularly difficult tax situations, including:

• An estimated 25% of eligible low-income workers fail to file for an Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs), either because they do not know the credits exist or that they qualify for them.
• Retirees whose previous experience with tax returns was limited to wages often face new provisions and complex forms to determine the taxable portion of their retirement income, different standard deduction amounts, permissible health care deductions and, if they sell their house, treatment of capital gains.
• For many people 50+, the spouse who had always prepared the taxes dies or becomes incapacitated, leaving the other both grief and knowledge-stricken.

The taxpayers who use AARP Foundation Tax-Aide are primarily the people the program is designed to serve: older, low-to-lower-middle income people, however you do not have to be an AARP member or of a certain age to take advantage of this free tax aide program.  Please note that those taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.

To find the nearest AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site or learn how to volunteer, go to www.aarp.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARP-NOW(1-888-227-7669).