This year, AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation and to become leadership coordinators. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome; you do not need to be an AARP member to volunteer nor do you need to be a retiree.
Tax counselors receive free tax training and become IRS certified by passing the IRS exam. They help customers one-on-one at tax sites and/or volunteer as Internet tax counselors. It’s a great way to learn new skills and to be involved in your community. Volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses.
Last year in Linn and Benton Counties, thirty (30) AARP Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 2,175 taxpayers at six sites. Complete State and Federal tax returns were prepared for more than 1800 families in the two counties, free of charge.
Volunteers report receiving a great deal of satisfaction by helping people with the difficult task of preparing their tax returns. “Many folks just can’t afford to go to a professional tax preparer,” said Richard Raleigh, the local coordinator, “so having us available to prepare and e-file their tax returns free of charge is a great help, and they really appreciate our assistance.”
For more information on how you can join the AARP Tax-Aide team, contact the Linn-Benton Tax-Aide coordinator, Richard Raleigh, (541) 929-5431 or email “mailto:[email protected]” or call our toll-free number, 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669) or visit our web site at http://www.aarp.org/taxaide.
AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated, 501 (c) (3) nonpartisan charitable organization. The AARP Foundation administers publicly and privately funded programs, such as AARP Tax-Aide and the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program.
The Foundation also carries out national litigation through AARP Foundation Litigation, and the Washington, DC based advocacy programs funded through Legal Counsel for the Elderly. These programs also receive support from AARP.