AARP Foundation Tax Assistance Service
The AARP Tax-Aide Foundation offers free tax assistance to anyone, with a special focus on taxpayers age 50 or older or with low to moderate incomes. Tax-Aide volunteers are located throughout the country and receive IRS training and certification each year to ensure they are aware of and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.
Below you will find questions and answers about the program:
- Is the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program available this year?
Yes, generally the Tax-Aide service will be available from February 1 to April 18.
- Can Tax-Aide help me file my taxes?
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers can help with most tax returns, but not all. If you have an extremely complicated return, such as one involving a small business with employees, rental income, or an alternative minimum tax (AMT), Tax-Aide may not be able to help you.
- What are my options?
- In person: You visit a Tax-Aide site, where a Tax-Aide volunteer completes your tax return on site in a single visit.
– Digital copy with a visit (Internet access required): Visit a Tax-Aide site, where a digital copy of your tax documents is created and stored in the IRS-provided software used to prepare your return. Tax-Aide volunteers then prepare the return remotely. You work with an online volunteer to conveniently complete the return, file and receive it via secure transmission.
-Digital copy with two visits: Visit a Tax-Aide site, where a digital copy of your tax documents is created and stored in the IRS-provided software used to prepare your return. Tax-Aide volunteers then prepare the return remotely. During a second visit, work with a volunteer to finalize your return and obtain a printed copy.
– Delivery and collection service: Visit a Tax-Aide site and drop off your tax documents with an IRS-certified volunteer. Your return is prepared by Tax-Aide volunteers working remotely. During a second visit, you work with a volunteer to finalize your return and file it. At the end of the second visit, you will leave with a printed copy of the declaration and your original documents.
-No site visit (Internet access required): You create digital copies of your tax documents and upload them to the IRS-provided software used to prepare your return. Tax-Aide volunteers prepare your return remotely. You work with an online volunteer to finalize the return, file it, and receive it via secure transmission.
-Online training: This is our alternative tax preparation model where the taxpayer prepares their own return and can take advantage of the support of an IRS-certified volunteer to help them along the way, no matter where they are in the process.
– Self preparation: The taxpayer completely prepares their own return using a software product that is available through our website.
- Is there an extension for filing taxes?
For taxpayers in certain areas of the following states (CA, AL, AR, MS, GA, NY, TN) affected by severe storms, check to see if you qualify for a filing extension on the IRS website.