About Us
Finding Purpose in Free Tax Prep
A Boston volunteer returns to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide to ease anxiety and guide neighbors through tax season.
Bill Winterberg at one of the two AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites where he volunteers.
Bill Winterberg is a financial planning consultant in Boston. He recently returned to volunteering at AARP Foundation Tax-Aide after a 17-year hiatus. In a recent interview, he told us why.
I was living in Portland in 2006 when I first encountered AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. I was looking to volunteer, and this seemed like a good way to help the community while gaining experience toward my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.
I got a lot of formal tax training in those three years, but I also learned how gratifying it can be to guide a member of your community through an intimidating experience.
That was 17 years and several moves ago. When I got laid off in 2023, I moved to Boston, took a sabbatical and did some consulting on the side, which allowed me the flexibility to volunteer again. Tax-Aide was the first thing I thought of.
Meeting People Where They Are
I now volunteer as a tax preparer twice a week at two different Tax‑Aide sites: one at the Milton Council on Aging and the other at a senior living center. At least half my clients are retirees living on Social Security or pensions, but we also see rideshare drivers, police officers, health care workers, and people juggling multiple jobs or side gigs.
No matter their background, almost everyone arrives at their appointment anxious. Taxes are confusing, professional preparer engagements can be expensive, and people are afraid of making a costly mistake. When you sign the return, it says you are doing it “under penalty of perjury,” which is intimidating. People don’t want their wages garnished; they don’t want bad things to happen. They’re just trying to be good citizens.
My job is to alleviate some of that anxiety. I walk people through their return line by line and help them understand how income, deductions, credits and payments work together. There’s no judgment about owing money and no upselling, and that builds trust. By the time we’re done, most people are relieved. They understand the outcome and know their return is accurate.
One of the things I enjoy most about Tax-Aide is the detective work — connecting the dots between numbers on paper and life events, and matching people with deductions and credits they are eligible for.
Why The Work Matters
I’m frustrated with how hard it is for people to complete their tax returns. It’s expensive, for one. Inflation has crept into the price of filing. Many of our taxpayers don’t use computers, so software or filing online aren’t viable options for them.
So I help by volunteering. I’m just one person, but Tax-Aide is a well-run and far-reaching system. I rely on the other preparers and my site coordinator to help throughout a shift. It takes district, state and national-level coordinators to keep the program running.
Someone might not have the time or the technical knowledge of the tax code to prepare taxes, but they can support the program in other ways.
All these elements work together to ensure that taxpayers have confidence that their returns are being properly prepared and that their information is safe. If we’ve done our job well, we see the same clients year after year. It’s a wonderful and gratifying feeling to be able to help so many residents of our community.
Learn more about AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and how to become a Tax-Aide Volunteer.
Read more stories about how our programs have helped people find hope, and about the volunteers who give so much of themselves to help others.
Tax-Aide Volunteer Opportunities
As a Tax-Aide volunteer, you’ll receive training and ongoing support. Many roles available! Help older adults and support your community while having fun.
Tax-Aide Volunteer Opportunities
As a Tax-Aide volunteer, you’ll receive training and ongoing support. Many roles available! Help older adults and support your community while having fun.