Volunteer with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program

Rudyanto Wijaya

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation's largest, free tax assistance and preparation program, is looking for people like you, to help thousands of older, middle- and low-income Massachusetts residents ease tax-time stress. With special attention to those age 60 and older, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides face-to-face assistance at nearly 250 sites across Massachusetts.

“In all the years I have been doing taxes for people the greatest joy comes from helping older folk do their taxes correctly and promptly,” said Dave Christopherson of Longmeadow, the volunteer site coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax Aide at the Good Life Center in Springfield. “They are so appreciative of the assistance we provide and the comfort they gain knowing that we are up to date on all the current income tax changes.”

 

As an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer, you may:

• Assist individuals with electronic filing
• Answer questions online
• Provide help to individuals who are unable to leave their homes
• Help taxpayers identify all the tax credits and deductions for which they may qualify
• Ease the tax time stress of seniors and those who need your help

 

Volunteer opportunities are available as tax counselors, client facilitators, local coordinators and district coordinators.  Some computer experience is helpful for all positions.

“If the idea of helping people who are squeezed financially appeals to you and you have some knowledge of tax preparation, consider joining our band of volunteers for the upcoming tax year,” said Tom Ligon, volunteer state coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax Aide in Massachusetts.  “You don’t have to be an AARP member to help; you don’t have to be an AARP member to be helped.”

Volunteers are trained on tax law procedures, preparing tax forms and using tax preparation software.  This past year, more than 600 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers were trained in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

VIDEO: Watch a video interview about the 2013  Massachusetts AARP Foundation Tax-Aide  program, with Tom Ligon, the program's volunteer coordinator for the state:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM3qJbxP6_o&list=UUuxzk3hYgVMGK15CoNNRNKw[/youtube]

 

Training sessions will begin in the fall.  To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is administered by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, charitable organization established in 1961.  To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.