AARP Tax Aides, Feb. 1

Beginning February 1 and continuing through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free, in-person tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run, free tax preparation service. AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers helped to returned nearly $50 million back to Oregon families in 2018 in tax refunds. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide started in 1968 with just four 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. People of all ages can use the service. “AARP Tax Aide provides a valuable service to our members and the general public,” said AARP Oregon State Director Ruby Haughton-Pitts.  “It’s a wonderful program of neighbors helping neighbors in communities where they live across our state,” she 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 2018, 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 $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $213 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 in Oregon, 1,095 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped file more than 45,000 federal and state tax returns.  Oregonians received $48,474,898 in refunds and an additional $11 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. The program is offered at approximately 130 locations throughout the state, including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations. To find an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site or more information, including which documents 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.