More Than 2300 Older South Dakotans Benefit from Free Tax Help

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free in-person and virtual tax assistance and preparation each year, focusing on adults over 50 with low income.

Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS, and AARP membership is not required.

“AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has provided free tax assistance to millions of low-income Americans for well over 50 years,” said Erik Gaikowski, AARP South Dakota State Director. “Even modest refunds are a lifeline for older adults, many of whom live on a fixed income, and it’s crucial they do not miss out on the credits and deductions they have earned and need.”

For the 2024 tax year, Tax-Aide volunteers in South Dakota prepared 2382 Federal returns, a 21% increase compared to tax year 2023. The average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of the clients served in the state this year was just under $42,000. Overall, 74% of clients in South Dakota were age 60 and older.

Tax-Aide services were available during the past tax season across the state, in communities like Rapid City, Custer, Aberdeen, Brookings and Sioux Falls.

Looking at one local site, Sioux Falls, 37 volunteers filed over 1,190 tax returns - a 22% increase over the previous year. For clients in the Sioux Falls area, 96% were age 50 and over, and the average AGI was approximately $38,000.

"Because the Tax-Aide preparation service is free, there is a substantial savings to clients whose only other option is to use a paid preparer," Gaikowski said. "We're proud of the trained and certified volunteers in South Dakota who provide older adults with a level of confidence and trust that their tax return is done correctly."

Users can also find Tax-Aide locations and assistance options through the Tax-Aide site locator. The site locator features a Tax-Aide chat bot that can help book an appointment, answer questions about the program, and transfer the conversation to a live agent if needed or requested. For more information, including which documents to bring to the tax site, visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669).