Oregon AARP free Tax-Aide sites open Feb. 1
Beginning Thursday, February 1 and continuing 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 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, no age requirement, and AARP membership is not required.
“The work of the 1,180 AARP Foundation Tax Aide Volunteers in Oregon brings substantial funds to our state,” said AARP Oregon Tax Aide Volunteer Coordinator Bob Bruce. At 135 Tax Aide sites around the state, volunteers helped 72,978 Oregonians file taxes bringing back more than $52 million on refund in 2017. On top of that, Tax Aide volunteers were able to help tax payers file for Earned Income Tax Credits with $13,767,559 being returned to tax payers.
“Getting help through Tax Aide is not limited to older adults,” said AARP Oregon Communications Director Joyce De Monnin. “We welcome older adults, families and even college students,” she said, if they are low to moderate income.
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.
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.
About AARP Foundation
AARP Foundation works to ensure that low-income older adults have nutritious food, affordable housing, a steady income, and strong and sustaining bonds. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our commitment to innovation and our passion for problem-solving. Supported by vigorous legal advocacy, we create and advance effective solutions that help struggling older adults transform their lives. AARP Foundation is the affiliated charity of AARP.
