Where AARP offers free tax preparation near you

AARP runs a program called Tax-Aide that provides free tax preparation at locations in your community. The program is staffed by trained volunteers who help people over 50 with basic tax returns at no cost. You do not need to be an AARP member to use it.

Tax-Aide operates from early February through mid-April each year. The exact dates and locations change annually, so you will need to search for sites near you rather than assume the same place runs every year. Some sites operate only on certain days of the week or by appointment.

The fastest way to find a Tax-Aide location is to visit the AARP Tax-Aide locator tool on the AARP website. You enter your zip code, and it shows you the nearest sites, their hours, whether they take walk-ins or appointments, and what documents to bring. You can also call 1-888-227-7669 to ask about locations near you.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation at community locations from February through mid-April, and you do not need to be an AARP member.
  • Use the AARP Tax-Aide locator tool on the AARP website to find the nearest site, hours, and whether appointments are required.
  • Bring your Social Security number, photo ID, last year's tax return, and all income documents (W-2s, 1099s, bank statements showing interest).
  • Tax-Aide volunteers handle basic returns; if your situation is complex (rental property, business income, large capital gains), you may need a paid tax professional.
  • If no Tax-Aide site is near you, AARP also lists other free tax preparation programs in your area through the IRS Free File locator.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring your Social Security number or ITIN, a photo ID, and your last year's tax return if you have one. You will also need all income documents from 2024: W-2s from employers, 1099s for self-employment or contract work, bank statements showing interest earned, and statements from any retirement accounts showing distributions.

If you own a home, bring your mortgage interest statement (Form 1098) and property tax records. If you paid medical expenses, student loan interest, or made charitable donations, bring receipts or statements. The volunteer will tell you which of these actually reduce what you owe, but having them on hand speeds up the process.

If you are bringing documents for a spouse, bring theirs too. Some sites can prepare joint returns; others ask you to come back separately. The locator tool or the site itself will tell you whether they handle joint returns.

What Tax-Aide can and cannot do

Tax-Aide volunteers can prepare straightforward returns: W-2 income, Social Security, pensions, basic investment income, and common deductions like mortgage interest and charitable giving. They can also handle the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other credits you may be due.

Tax-Aide does not handle complex situations. If you have rental property income, own a business, have large capital gains or losses, received a complicated inheritance, or are dealing with an IRS audit or back taxes, you will need a paid tax professional. The volunteer can tell you during your appointment whether your return is beyond their scope.

Tax-Aide also cannot represent you before the IRS if there is a dispute. If you need that kind of help, you will need to hire an enrolled agent, CPA, or tax attorney.

How to make an appointment or find walk-in hours

Some Tax-Aide sites take appointments only; others accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. The locator tool tells you which your nearest site does. If appointments are required and the site is full, ask to be put on a waiting list—cancellations happen regularly in March and early April.

Walk-in sites usually have shorter hours and longer waits as the April 15 important date approaches. If you can get an appointment in February or early March, you will spend less time waiting and get your refund sooner. Many people wait until late March or early April, which creates bottlenecks.

If the nearest Tax-Aide site is far away or fully booked, the locator tool also shows other free tax preparation sites in your area run by nonprofits or community organizations. These are funded by the IRS and follow the same standards as Tax-Aide.

Other free tax help if Tax-Aide is not available

If no Tax-Aide location is near you or the hours do not work, the IRS Free File program lists other free tax preparation sites by zip code. You can search at irs.gov/freefile. Many community action agencies, libraries, and senior centers also offer free tax help during tax season, even if they are not part of the official AARP or IRS programs.

Some states run their own free tax programs for seniors and low-income filers. Your state's revenue or taxation department website will list them. You can also call 211 (a referral line) and ask what free tax help is available in your area.

If you have a straightforward return and prefer to file online, the IRS Free File program also offers free tax software to people under certain income thresholds. You can file directly without visiting a site.

What happens after your return is prepared

The Tax-Aide volunteer will prepare your return and review it with you before filing. You will see the amount you owe or the refund you are due. If you are due a refund, you can choose to have it deposited directly into your bank account, which is faster than waiting for a check.

The volunteer will file your return electronically (e-file) unless you ask them not to. Electronic filing is faster and more accurate than mailing a paper return. The IRS usually processes e-filed returns within 21 days if you are due a refund.

You will receive a copy of your return to keep. Save it for your records. If the IRS has questions later, you will need to show them this copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to use Tax-Aide?

No. Tax-Aide is open to anyone over 50, whether or not you are an AARP member. You do not pay anything to use the service.

What if I missed the Tax-Aide season and it is already April?

Tax-Aide ends in mid-April, but you can still file your return after that date. You will not owe a penalty for filing late if you are due a refund. If you owe taxes, filing late does trigger penalties and interest, so contact a tax professional or the IRS to work out a payment plan.

Can Tax-Aide help me with a prior year return I never filed?

Some Tax-Aide sites will prepare prior-year returns, but not all. Call 1-888-227-7669 or ask at the site when you arrive. If they cannot help, a tax professional can, though you may pay a fee for older returns.

What if I do not have all my documents when I arrive?

Tell the volunteer what you are missing. They may be able to prepare your return without it, or they may ask you to come back once you have it. Some volunteers can also help you figure out how to get missing documents from your employer or bank.

How long does it take to prepare a return at Tax-Aide?

A straightforward return usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. More complex returns can take longer. If the site is busy, you may wait before your appointment starts. Arriving early in the tax season (February or early March) means shorter waits.