Volunteers sought for tax preparation

LEWISTON/AUBURN — Not going south for the winter? Looking for something interesting, challenging and rewarding to help our winter months seem to go by just a little faster? Consider joining a team of dedicated AARP Tax-Aide volunteers to prepare and electronically file federal and state income tax returns for low to moderate income taxpayers. This program is provided free of charge to eligible taxpayers.

Although the 2018 tax filing season is still months away, the recruitment and orientation of volunteers is done in the fall. Training is in January with actual return preparation starting in February. 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.” The demand for this program increases each year and so does the need for new volunteers of all ages.

In addition to tax preparation, many other volunteer opportunities are available. These include greeting taxpayers, trouble-shooting 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. All volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses, including mileage. Any needed training will be done at Kaplan University in Lewiston, with tax preparation being done at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn.

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 or volunteer, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or contact district coordinator Joan Jagolinzer at jagolinzer@gwi.net. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in coordination with the IRS.