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Understanding AARP's Tax Assistance Program and Resources

AARP Tax-Aide is a volunteer-run program that has been helping people with their taxes since 1969. The program operates through partnerships with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and offers free tax preparation services at locations across the country. The AARP Tax Assistance Resources Guide provides information about how this program works, where to find tax help in your community, and what documents you might need to bring when you visit.

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The program focuses on serving people aged 50 and older, though family members of any age may also receive help. In the 2023 tax season, volunteers prepared approximately 2.8 million tax returns through this program. The guide explains that tax preparation through this program is completely free—there are no hidden fees, charges, or requirements to purchase anything.

The resources guide contains information about the program's history, its mission, and how the IRS has recognized AARP's work over decades. It describes the types of tax situations the program handles, which typically include standard returns with wages, pensions, Social Security income, and investment income. The guide also outlines what kinds of complex tax situations might fall outside the scope of what volunteers can handle, such as business ownership or farming operations.

One important piece of information in the guide is that the program trains volunteers to a specific standard. These volunteers complete IRS-sponsored training and pass a test each year to maintain their certification. This means the people preparing your taxes have been verified by the IRS as having sufficient knowledge to do the work correctly.

Practical Takeaway: Before visiting a tax preparation site, read through the guide to understand what types of tax returns the program handles and what the volunteer certification means. This helps you know whether the program matches your tax situation before you invest time in the process.

What Information and Documents You Should Gather

The AARP Tax Assistance Resources Guide includes detailed lists of documents and information you should gather before visiting a tax preparation site. Having these materials ready beforehand makes the appointment go faster and helps ensure nothing gets missed. The guide typically recommends gathering your photo identification, Social Security card or number verification, and proof of citizenship if required.

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For income documentation, the guide explains that you'll need W-2 forms from your employer, 1099 forms showing interest income, dividend income, or other non-wage income, and statements from Social Security showing your annual benefits. If you receive a pension, you'll want the statements from your pension provider. For people who receive income from investments, statements from brokerage accounts showing sales and gains are important to bring.

The guide provides information about deductions you might be able to claim. For charitable contributions, you'll need receipts or written statements from the charities. For medical expenses, the guide explains which costs may count toward deductions and recommends keeping organized records. Property tax statements are relevant for homeowners who want to claim property tax deductions. The guide also describes mortgage interest statements and what information from them you'll need.

The resources guide includes a checklist format that many people find helpful. Rather than reading paragraphs, you can scan a list and check off items as you gather them. This organizational approach means you won't forget to bring something important. The guide also explains why each type of document matters and how it affects your tax return.

Additionally, the guide addresses digital record-keeping. It notes that having electronic copies or statements printed from online accounts works just as well as paper originals in most cases. However, if you've made significant changes to your financial situation during the year—such as moving, getting married, or retiring—the guide recommends noting these separately to mention to the volunteer.

Practical Takeaway: Use the document checklist from the guide and start gathering materials several weeks before you plan to visit a tax preparation site. This prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures you have everything needed for an efficient appointment.

Finding Tax Preparation Sites and Scheduling Your Visit

The AARP Tax Assistance Resources Guide contains detailed information about how to locate a tax preparation site near you. The guide explains that AARP maintains a locator tool online where you can enter your zip code and see all nearby locations offering the service. The guide walks through how to use this tool step-by-step, including how to filter results by location, site type, and whether the site offers in-person or virtual appointments.

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The guide provides information about different types of sites where tax preparation happens. Some services operate through AARP offices, while others are offered at community centers, libraries, senior centers, or nonprofit organizations. Each site may have different hours and days available. The guide recommends checking the details for your local site, as hours can vary significantly between locations. Some sites operate only during tax season from January through April, while others may open earlier or stay open longer.

According to data included in the guide, approximately 5,000 sites nationwide participate in the program. These sites are spread across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., though the density of sites varies by region. Rural areas may have fewer locations, sometimes requiring travel to a neighboring town. The guide provides suggestions for people who cannot easily reach a physical location, including information about virtual tax preparation options that some sites offer.

The resources guide explains how to schedule an appointment. Most sites use an online scheduling system where you can see available times and book directly. The guide walks through the booking process and notes what information you'll be asked to provide when scheduling. Some sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and the guide explains how those work as well. The guide also addresses what to do if your preferred site is fully booked, such as trying sites in neighboring communities or looking at virtual options.

The guide includes information about what to expect on the day of your appointment, including how long appointments typically take—usually between 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the complexity of your tax situation. It explains that you should arrive a few minutes early and bring all your documents in an organized manner.

Practical Takeaway: Start your search for local sites at least a month before you want your taxes prepared, since popular locations can book up quickly during tax season. Have your zip code ready and note the hours and appointment availability for your top three site choices.

Understanding Income Types and How They Appear on Your Return

The AARP Tax Assistance Resources Guide includes educational information about different types of income and how each appears on a tax return. Understanding these distinctions helps you know what documents to bring and what to expect when your return is prepared. Wage income comes from employment and appears on your W-2 form. The guide explains that your employer sends you a W-2 early each year reporting how much you earned and how much was withheld for taxes.

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For people who are retired, the guide contains information about Social Security income. It explains that while Social Security benefits are sometimes taxable, whether they are taxed depends on your total income level. The guide walks through how Social Security taxation works and provides examples. For instance, a single filer with less than $25,000 in combined income typically does not pay taxes on Social Security benefits, but this threshold changes for married couples. The guide shows these different thresholds and explains the calculation.

Pension income is another common type of income for older adults. The guide explains that pension payments are typically reported on a 1099-R form and are generally fully taxable. It also addresses Roth IRA distributions, which work differently—qualified distributions from Roth accounts are not taxable, while early distributions may be subject to different rules. The guide includes examples showing how to distinguish between different types of distributions.

Investment income receives detailed explanation in the guide. Dividends from stocks and interest from savings accounts and bonds are reported on 1099 forms. The guide explains the difference between ordinary dividends and qualified dividends, noting that qualified dividends receive preferential tax treatment. The guide also addresses capital gains—the profit you make when you sell a stock or investment property. It explains the difference between short-term gains (from assets held less than a year) and long-term gains (from assets held more than a year), with long-term gains receiving lower tax rates.

The guide also contains information about other types of income some people receive, such as rental income, interest from lending money, or income from selling items. It explains which forms report these types of income and notes that the tax treatment varies. For example, the guide notes that while some people think selling personal household items is taxable, the IRS only taxes gains from selling items like collectibles, and not personal possessions like furniture sold for less than the original purchase price.

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