AARP offers free tax help to seniors, poor

(Peoria, AZ) – Beginning February 1, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax counseling and tax preparation assistance for people of middle and low incomes with special attention given to people over 60.  The program will operate through April 15, the deadline for filing 2012 tax returns. 

Last year, 1,200 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers in Arizona helped over 84,000 people and filed more than 54,000 tax returns.  Arizona Tax-Aide volunteers join the more than 35,000 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers across the country, helping millions of taxpayers each year.

“Every year our dedicated Tax-Aide volunteers are available at AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites throughout the state to provide tax preparation assistance to Arizonans,” said AARP Foundation Tax-Aide State Coordinator Frank Perazelli.  “We hope people will take advantage of this free program.”

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service and offer help with personal income tax returns at various locations throughout Arizona including senior centers, libraries and churches. 

For more information about an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site near you call (888) OUR-AARP, (1-888 867-2277) or visit the AARP web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide. 

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.