From Feb. 1 through April 17, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, celebrating its 50th 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 4 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.
“One of the most gratifying things is to see the look on people’s faces when they know they are getting a badly-needed refund,” John Meredith, AARP CO Foundation Tax-Aide state coordinator, said.
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, 601 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 32,000 people file their federal and state tax returns. The program is offered in about 55 sites in Colorado, including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.
To find a Tax-Aide site or more information, including what to bring to the tax site, visit aarpfoundation.org/taxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.