The Link

9/27/2012
AARP NEBRASKA

AARP Tax-Aide Seeks Lincoln Volunteers to Help Prepare Tax Returns

LINCOLN--AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service, is seeking volunteers to assist in tax preparation in the Lincoln area. Tax-Aide is in its 50th year of serving low- and middle-income persons with their tax returns, especially those 60 and over. Last year the Tax-Aide program assisted more than 2,600,000 Americans in filing their taxes.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. You do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to volunteer. Computer-literate volunteers receive four days of free tax training and become IRS certified Counselors by passing the IRS exam. IRS and the AARP Foundation provide laptops and easy-to-use software for electronic filing. Client Facilitators don’t need to use computers or do taxes.

“It’s a great way to learn new skills, be involved in your community and help people in need one-on-one at tax sites,” said AARP Tax-Aide District Coordinator Allan Smith of Lincoln.

Leadership positions coordinate program delivery by volunteers at local sites. Although tax training and certification are encouraged, it is not required for all positions. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum commitment of 40 hours over the ten-week season. Expense reimbursement is provided for some program-related, out-of-pocket expenses. Classroom training is planned for Dec. 2-5.

For more information about becoming a local AARP Tax-Aide volunteer, call or e-mail Allan Smith at: smith.allan.t@gmail.com by Nov. 1.

AARP Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated, 501 (c)(3) nonpartisan charitable organization. The AARP Foundation administers publicly and privately funded programs, such as AARP Tax-Aide and the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program.

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(Contact: Allan Smith, 402-432-7681, Smith.allan.t@gmail.com)