Taxes Made Easy with AARP Tax Aide

Tax season is notorious for being a springtime headache. From meeting strict deadlines, to trying to use a reliable service, taxes can create some unwanted stress. That’s why AARP Foundation Tax-Aide started nearly five decades ago.

In 1970, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide was imagined during a Naval Reserve exercise. Now it serves nearly 2.7 million taxpayers annually.

Admiral Bernie Nash was informed by a Naval Reserve officer, who was also an IRS official, that older taxpayers were cheating themselves out of millions of dollars. The IRS official warned Nash that older adults were not taking the deductions they were entitled to and that there were lapses in their tax forms.

The two agreed to initiate a program where AARP volunteers would receive training from the IRS and provide free tax assistance to older taxpayers.

In 2016, AARP Tax-Aide connected nearly 35,000 IRS-trained volunteers to 2.7 million taxpayers nationwide. Today, it’s the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation program.

In Texas alone, 2,029 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 168,000 people file their federal and state tax returns in 2016. The program is offered at 273 sites in Texas including senior centers and libraries.

“We want to let Texans know that this is a great program within a friendly environment that makes the process of filing taxes easier and less chaotic,” says volunteer leader Ron Craig. “AARP Foundation Tax-Aide connects those who might need guidance on their taxes with trained volunteers.”

Last year, taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.41 billion in income tax refunds and more than $240 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. Taxpayers do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this program.

Texans who are interested in using this service are encouraged to search for locations near them. To learn more, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in coordination with the IRS.