Lend Your Talents to AARP Tax-Aide

from: AARP South Dakota | November 8, 2011

For many, having their taxes done can be a source of anxiety. But AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers work to put tax-payers at ease. Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service available to low and moderate-income taxpayers of all ages with special attention to people age 60 and older. Since its inception in 1968, AARP Tax-Aide has helped more than 40 million people file their tax returns.

Tax Aide Resources

See Also: Volunteer With AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for 2012

“I admire the program personally because it serves the community so very well. It’s geared toward low and middle income folks, all ages, so not only is AARP helping serve the elderly,” said Charlotte Jaeschke, District Coordinator for SE South Dakota. “We also get some who are younger some families and so on and we’re very proud of that, that as AARP and the IRS we serve the whole community.”

AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers are IRS trained and certified and ready to handle a variety of returns.

“This is an important feature. Its fine to have your taxes done for free, however, if you can‘t be sure they’re done right that’s another issue. We do them right, we’re well qualified,” Jaeschke said.

She says clients come back year after year, because they appreciate the service.

Jaeschke said, “I’ve heard so many comments that ‘we’re glad you’re here’; ‘It’s so good you do this’; ‘We appreciate you so much’; ‘God bless you!’ we’ve heard. It’s a program that is appreciated. And I think that’s one of the reasons our volunteers keep coming back they feel this appreciation they give the service they feel comfortable giving.”

In 2010, Tax-Aide volunteers helped people receive more than $233 million in Earned Income Tax Credit, a source of cash for people with limited resources.

Training for the 2012 tax season will begin soon, and volunteers with a range of skills are always needed in several South Dakota communities. If you’re interested in becoming a Tax Aide volunteer visit or email us at sdaarp@aarp.org.