Manage Tax Time Stress

By: State: Massachusetts

As the countdown to tax day begins, many local residents can count on AARP to help manage tax time stress. From February 1 through April 15, the association offers a free tax counseling program, AARP Tax-Aide, to assist taxpayers with the preparation of basic federal, and state income tax returns.

Available to middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older, AARP Tax-Aide provides face-to-face counseling services at 268 sites across Massachusetts, including libraries, and senior and community centers.

AARP Tax-Aide also provides counseling services to individuals who are unable to leave their homes. Contact a local AARP Tax-Aide site in your community for details.

A Well Trained, Professional Volunteer Corps

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers have been trained in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service  and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to perform tax counseling services. These volunteers are well-versed in Massachusetts tax rules, including:

• Schedule HC – Health Care Information. The state’s landmark Health Care Reform Law requires Massachusetts residents age 18 and over who can afford health insurance to have health coverage or pay a penalty through their tax returns. More information
• "Circuit Breaker" tax credit, which is available for residents age 65 and older who meet certain criteria. More information

Last year, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 41,000 Massachusetts residents with tax returns, stimulus filings and general questions. The program expects to help even more individuals this year, thanks to an increase in trained counselors throughout the state.

The program has consistently earned high marks in customer satisfaction. AARP Tax-Aide achieves a significant rate of repeat customers, who say they return to the program due to the friendliness, helpfulness, knowledge and skill of AARP Tax-Aide volunteers.

Find an AARP Tax-Aide Site Near You

To find an AARP Tax-Aide site in the community, or a neighboring community, go to the online AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669).

Prepare for Your Meeting with AARP Tax-Aide

Before meeting with an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer, gather together some basic information and bring it with you to the AARP Tax-Aide site, such as:

• 2008 tax forms and preparation booklet
• Copy of last year’s income tax returns
• W-2 forms from each employer
• Unemployment compensation statements
• SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security benefits
• 1099-HC form if you have private health insurance
• All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-misc.,) showing interest and/or dividends as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets
• 1099R forms if you received a pension or annuity
• All forms indicating federal income tax paid
• Child care provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number)
• All receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions
• Social Security numbers for all dependents.

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.

Other Resources

AARP Tax-Aide

Internal Revenue Service 

Massachusetts Department of Revenue

Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority

Circuit Breaker Tax Credit