AARP offers tax assistance through April 19

Date: 3/7/2011

GREATER SPRINGFIELD — As the countdown to tax day begins, local residents can count on AARP to help manage tax time stress.

Through April 19, AARP Tax-Aide, the free tax assistance and preparation program offered by the AARP Foundation, helps taxpayers with basic federal and state income tax returns. To find a site locally and make an appointment, call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669) or go online to www.aarp.org/ma.

Available to middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention given to those 60 and older, AARP Tax-Aide provides face-to-face tax counseling services at 255 sites across Massachusetts, including libraries, senior centers and community centers. More than 600 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers have been trained in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to perform these services.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are well-versed in federal and state tax rules, including: "Circuit Breaker" tax credit, which is available for Massachusetts property owners and renters who are age 65 and older and meet certain criteria; energy efficiency credits, which are available to qualifying Bay State property owners; and, schedule HC, proof of health insurance coverage, which is required of all Massachusetts residents.

"Last year, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers helped 40,000 Massachusetts residents with tax returns and questions," Linda Fitzgerald, AARP Massachusetts state president, said. "Over and over, the exceptional quality of service provided by these dedicated volunteers earns the program high marks in customer satisfaction."

AARP Tax-Aide consistently achieves a significant rate of repeat customer who return to the program due to the knowledge, skill, friendliness and helpfulness of AARP Tax-Aide volunteers.

"Tax filing can be confusing and stressful," John Woods, volunteer state coordinator for AARP Tax-Aide, said. "Our volunteers aim to make tax filing a simple and pleasant experience for taxpayers."

AARP Tax-Aide also provides services to individuals who are unable to leave home. Contact a local AARP Tax-Aide site for details.

AARP Tax-Aide is administered by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.

The AARP Foundation is an affiliated, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, charitable organization established in 1961.