CARIBOU, Maine — Looking for something interesting, challenging and rewarding to help winter go by a little faster? The AARP Tax-Aide program is seeking local volunteers for the coming tax season.
Volunteers will receive training and become part of a team who will prepare and electronically file taxes for eligible taxpayers on Saturdays at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Through Tax-Aide, they can help their neighbors take away the frustration and stress often associated with income tax preparation.
The program is free of charge to eligible taxpayers. Recruitment and orientation of volunteers begins in the fall, training will be in January and actual tax return preparation will start in February.
The demand for the AARP Tax-Aide program increases each year due to both growth and attrition. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and do not need to be “of a certain age” or members of AARP.
The popularity of this program with volunteers is evidenced by the fact that a majority of them continue with the program until health or family issues surface or they decide to become “snow birds,” according to Penny Kern, district coordinator.
In addition to tax preparation, many other volunteer opportunities are available. These include greeting taxpayers, troubleshooting computer and printer problems, assisting with publicity or assuming one of several leadership roles.
Once trained, volunteers are asked to commit a minimum of four hours per week over the 10-week tax filing season. Volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses, including mileage.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance program. Last spring in Maine, at 65 locations, 286 volunteers met with, answered questions and prepared returns for more than 24,000 Maine taxpayers.
To learn more, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or contact Kern at penny.kern.pk@gmail.com.
