Celebrating Life Over 50 in the Puget Sound Region and Beyond

AARP Free Tax Preparation Begins

February 14, 2023 at 3:09 p.m.

The service is offered in conjunction with the IRS. AARP membership is not required to receive the free service.

Local AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites are now open and ready to help prepare and e-file personal tax returns. Most of the Tax-Aide sites return to in-person service.

This free tax service is available to all taxpayers. The service includes federal personal tax returns as well as the new Washington Working Family Tax Credit. Tax-Aide is operating 111 sites in Washington for the current tax season which ends on April 18.

For the first time in three years, Tax-Aide returns to the traditional in-person preparation at many sites statewide. While many sites will offer walk-in, first come first served service, some require appointments and some sites will offer both walk-in and appointments. Check with your local sites to learn more about their specific requirements. Information on how to use Tax-Aide services, site locations throughout Washington state and available appointments can be found at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or by calling 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669).

In addition to in-person tax preparation, Tax-Aide is also providing a new option for taxpayers to prepare their own taxes. Alternative Tax Preparation (ATP) is aimed at taxpayers who would prefer to prepare their taxes, using their own computers. In addition to free online software, Tax-Aide certified counselors will be available to assist them in preparing and filing their tax returns electronically. To participate in this new program, taxpayers need to be computer savvy and have an internet connection. Counselors provide assistance using online interactive software. Those interested can get more information at https://taxaideqa.aarp.org/hc/en-us

“Tax-Aide is a free service for anyone who needs help completing their tax return and filing it electronically,” said Cindy Gossett, Washington AARP Foundation Tax-Aide State Coordinator. “Our dedicated and certified volunteers are ready to provide the same high-quality service as in years past. After three challenging years navigating COVID, we are looking forward to helping as many people as possible.”

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide operates the nation’s largest all-volunteer run tax preparation service. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified annually to ensure they understand the latest changes to the U.S. Tax Code.

In 2021, more than 820,000 taxpayers (23,000 in Washington) using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services received more than $892 million ($28 million in Washington) in income tax refunds. They also avoided any tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or “advance refund loans.” The service is offered in conjunction with the IRS. AARP membership is not required to receive the free service.