KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tax time doesn't have to be quite as taxing, thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who are donating their time and expertise to help low- to moderate-income Missourians file their income tax returns. According to Craig Eichelman, AARP Missouri state director, the Tax-Aide program, now in its 45th year, is the largest free tax assistance and preparation service in the nation.
"I think this year, we're going to have about 140 sites around Missouri, and almost 700 volunteers that will help prepare federal, state, and local taxes," he said. "It's really, you know, open to anyone."
Eichelman said the program is offered to Missourians of all ages, not just AARP members, because the goal is to make sure those who can't afford to hire a private accountant or service still get everything they're entitled to from their returns.
"Last year we helped nearly 64,000 folks get about $21 million back on their federal and state incomes in Missouri, and these days every dollar helps," he observed.
Eichelman added that part of the reason for the program's success is that it is offered in conjunction with the IRS, and he said all the volunteers are trained and experienced when it comes to filing basic returns. AARP's Tax Aide is for individual taxpayers, not for those who have more-complex or business-tax returns to file.
The program begins February 2 and runs through April 15. More information about locations and times is available on AARP's website, or by calling 1-888-AARP-NOW.