As 2020 comes to a close, the start of another tax season is on the horizon.
The AARP Tax Aid program is looking for volunteers to help area residents prepare their taxes this year.
The Tax Aide program is an AARP Foundation and IRS free tax preparation assistance program. Volunteers complete federal and state tax forms for the low to moderate income population and with special attention to senior citizens and people with disabilities.
Volunteers will be helping in three different positions: tax counselor to prepare tax forms with the taxpayer present; appointment takers that will answer the telephone and use a computer program to schedule taxpayers for an appointment; and facilitator who acts as host/hostess to greet the taxpayer and to insure they have the appropriate information with them.
No accounting background or special tax knowledge is necessary. Training is provided for each of the positions. Basic computer skills are necessary for the tax counselor and the appointment taker, but training is provided for the software and for tax preparation/laws. Training begins in early winter and tax preparation season is February 1 to April 15.
To become a volunteer go on the AARP.org website and volunteer for the AARP Taxaide program.