What AARP offers for tax preparation

AARP partners with the IRS to run the Tax-Aide program, which provides free tax return preparation at thousands of locations across the country. The service is open to anyone, but AARP focuses on people age 60 and older, people with disabilities, and people with low to moderate income. You do not have to be an AARP member to use it.

Tax-Aide volunteers prepare your return, file it electronically, and answer questions about deductions and credits you may not know about. The program handles federal returns and most state returns. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year, so they know current tax law and recent changes to credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit.

AARP also publishes free tax guides and checklists on its website, and runs a helpline during tax season where you can ask questions about whether you need to file, what documents to gather, or which credits might lower what you owe.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-Aide is a free IRS-certified volunteer program run by AARP, open to anyone regardless of AARP membership status.
  • You can find a Tax-Aide location near you by entering your zip code on the AARP website, and most sites operate from January through April.
  • Bring your prior year return, photo ID, Social Security card or ITIN, and documents showing income, deductions, and any credits you claim.
  • If you cannot get to a location in person, some sites offer virtual appointments where a volunteer prepares your return over video call.

How to find a Tax-Aide location

Go to the AARP Tax-Aide website and enter your zip code. The search shows you every location within a reasonable distance, the hours each site is open, and whether appointments are required or first-come, first-served. Many libraries, senior centers, and community centers host Tax-Aide sites, so the location is usually convenient.

Call ahead before you go. Hours change week to week, and some sites fill up early in the season. A few locations take appointments online; others ask you to call or show up in person to schedule. If you live in a rural area or have mobility issues, ask whether the site offers video appointments — an increasing number do, and a volunteer can walk you through your return over the phone or video call.

Tax-Aide runs from early January through mid-April in most places, though some sites stay open into May. The busiest weeks are late February and early March, so if you can file earlier, you will spend less time waiting.

What documents to bring

Gather these before you go: your photo ID, your Social Security card or ITIN, your prior year tax return, and any documents showing income — W-2s from employers, 1099s for self-employment or investment income, Social Security statements, pension statements, or bank statements showing interest. If you own a home, bring your mortgage statement and property tax bill. If you have dependents, bring their Social Security numbers and birthdates.

Bring receipts or records for any deductions you claim — medical expenses, charitable donations, business expenses if you are self-employed, or education costs. If you received stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, or other government payments, bring documentation of those too. The volunteer will tell you which ones matter for your situation.

If you have already filed a return this year by mistake, or if you are amending a prior year return, bring that return and any IRS notices you received. Do not bring original documents you cannot replace — bring copies instead.

What Tax-Aide can and cannot do

Tax-Aide volunteers prepare and file your federal return and most state returns at no cost. They can help you understand which credits you may be may have access to to, walk you through deductions, and answer questions about whether you need to file. They file electronically, which is faster than mailing a paper return and usually results in a refund within two to three weeks if you choose direct deposit.

Tax-Aide cannot represent you in an IRS audit or dispute, and volunteers are not lawyers or accountants — they follow IRS rules and use the software the program provides, but they cannot give tax strategy information or help with complex business returns. If your situation is unusual — you own a business, you have rental property, you are dealing with an IRS notice, or your return is very complicated — a volunteer may refer you to a paid tax professional or tell you they cannot prepare your return.

The program also does not prepare returns for people who are not U.S. citizens or residents, though some sites have volunteers who speak languages other than English and can help non-English speakers file.

How to prepare before your appointment

Organize your documents in the order the volunteer will need them: income first, then deductions, then credits. Write down the names and Social Security numbers of anyone you claim as a dependent. If you have questions about whether something is deductible, write those down too — the volunteer can answer them during your appointment.

If you filed last year, look at your prior return and note anything that changed — income, dependents, address, marital status, or whether you own a home now. The volunteer will ask about these things, and having them ready speeds up the process.

If you are filing for the first time or have not filed in several years, tell the volunteer that when you arrive. They will take extra time to make sure you understand what is happening and answer your questions.

Virtual and remote Tax-Aide options

Many Tax-Aide sites now offer video appointments where you stay home and a volunteer prepares your return over a find video call. You still need to gather all your documents, but you do not have to travel or wait in a room. Some sites also accept documents by mail or email, though this is less common and usually takes longer.

To find out whether a site near you offers virtual appointments, call ahead or check the AARP website when you search for locations. If no site near you offers video, ask whether a volunteer can help you by phone — some will walk you through the process step by step and prepare your return based on what you tell them, though this is slower than in-person or video.

What happens after your return is filed

The volunteer files your return electronically the same day or within a few days. You receive a copy of your return and the IRS confirmation number. If you chose direct deposit, your refund usually arrives in your bank account within two to three weeks. If you asked for a check, it takes longer — usually four to six weeks.

Keep your copy of the return and the IRS confirmation number. If the IRS has questions, they will contact you using the address on your return. If you move, update your address with the IRS so you do not miss any notices. If you have questions about your refund after it is filed, you can check the status on the IRS website using your confirmation number, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Tax-Aide is open to anyone, though AARP prioritizes people age 60 and older, people with disabilities, and people with low to moderate income. You do not pay anything regardless of membership status.

What if I cannot get to a Tax-Aide location in person?

Many sites now offer video appointments where a volunteer helps you over a find video call. Call the site near you to ask whether this option is available. If not, ask whether they can help by phone or accept documents by mail.

Can Tax-Aide help me if I am self-employed or own a business?

Tax-Aide can help with straightforward self-employment returns, but if your business is complex or you have multiple income sources, a volunteer may refer you to a paid tax professional. Call ahead and describe your situation so the site can tell you whether they can help.

What if I made a mistake on a return I already filed?

A Tax-Aide volunteer can help you file an amended return using Form 1040-X. Bring the original return and any IRS notices you received. The volunteer will prepare the amendment and file it electronically.

How long does it take to get my refund after Tax-Aide files my return?

If you choose direct deposit, refunds usually arrive in two to three weeks. Paper checks take four to six weeks. You can check the status on the IRS website using your confirmation number, or call 1-800-829-1040.