The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers tax prep help, though the efforts of a small army of over 32,000 volunteers nationwide.  Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free tax preparation and assistance service, primarily serving low and middle-income taxpayers.  It pays special attention to those ages 60 and older, but is open to all. There are no official income or age restrictions, though the tax preparers won't take on people who have complicated returns, with issues such as rental income or business income losses.  The program is administered, and half funded, by the AARP Foundation - the charitable arm of the parent organization, with the IRS providing the other 50% of funding. 

Last year AARP helped more than two million individuals prepare and file their federal income taxes. In Maine alone, there were over 15,000 people serviced by 179 volunteers at 87 sites around the state.  In addition, Tax Aide volunteers went to the homes of almost 300 shut-ins who could not make it to a site.  

This year, in the Bath/Brunswick area alone, there are 23 volunteers who are preparing tax returns, both federal and state, at nine sites, stretching from Freeport to Brunswick ; Topsham to Bath;  Dresden to Wiscasset and down to Boothbay Harbor.  All are doing 100% electronic filings this year, which is easier for everyone and gets refunds back to taxpayers quicker.  Tax returns are done right on the spot and sent off via computer. The Patten Free Library in Bath is the busiest site in the midcoast region.  (See sidebar for all local site listings and times.) The two Bath locations - the Library and the Senior Center -  are the only sites that don't require a reservation.  

Who are these volunteer "saviors?"                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               All volunteers are certified by the IRS.  They must pass a rigorous test, after going through an intensive five-day, eight-hours a day training course.  Many are retired.  They represent a range of talents and experiences.  In our region, for instance, one is a semi-retired veterinarian;  another, a retired IBM sales exec with an accounting degree.  Others include an artist;  a retired English professor, and a former Bell Systems manager with extensive leadership, as well, in environmental non-profits.  A few are new to the program this year, but many have been volunteering year after year. 

Why do they make such a commitment to this difficult and time-consuming task for almost a dozen weeks during the height of tax season?  One newcomer, Dan Levey from Phippsburg, sums up the volunteer attitude: “I do it to help people get their money back from the government. And I love to see the smiles when they find out they are getting a refund.”  Does he plan to do this again next year?  Absolutely.  

Another, Mary Louise Blanchard of Arrowsic, is an “old timer”, having volunteered for nine years, and also now acting as district coordinator.  She has her hands full but loves it.  “I believe this program provides a very necessary service to our community, and it is so enjoyable to see the same people each year (almost 75% are return ‘clients’).  You are building up a trusting relationship and that is so important,” she says.

Joan Jagolinzer, Maine state coordinator and also a hands-on volunteer, echoes those sentiments and praises the dedication of the volunteers.  “They are all terrific.  It's something for them to do in the wintertime that is also doing good things for other people.”  Many of the tax preparers come back year after year, “until either their health deteriorates or Florida beckons.”  

She offers some specific examples of Tax-Aide successes.  One client, who brought in his previous year's tax return (a good idea, she says) that had been done by a paid preparer, found out that the preparer had goofed, big time.  He had sold off a large amount of property that had been in the family for generations for big bucks, but that also meant a large capital gains tax. 

However, the tax preparer had failed to take into account the big real estate commission that offset some of the gain.  Net result:  through Joan's savvy spotting of the error, the fellow saved $2000 - and she filed an amended return for that year to recoup that money.   Or another was a harried young woman who came into a Portland site at the very last minute, on April 15, waving her paperwork and asking to file an extension.  “Why not just do the return right now?, suggested Joan.  “But I owe about $600”, the woman said.  Joan advised her that just filing an extension won't help; she would still have to pay by April 15 or get hit with a penalty.  Net result?  She reluctantly sat down with Joan, who determined that she was eligible for an earned income credit because she'd been divorced for the full tax year. Instead of owing money, she got back over $3000!

The Tax-Aide volunteers have been very busy since “opening for business” on Feb 7, and have already prepared, as of Feb 23,  a total of 331 returns and answered more than 60 questions just in our area.  March and April promise to be even busier!  They will be at it until T-Day, Tuesday, April 15.

Some of those questions and their answers…   

Do you have to be AARP member to take advantage of this service? 

No.

Are there income limitations to qualify for this service? 

No, the program is open to everyone. The only returns they won't do are those that can be highly complex (say, dealing with rental income or business income losses). 

What sorts of information do I need to bring to a site? 

Any income statements - of pension, social security, interest and any government tax forms (W'2s, 1099's etc), and last year's tax return, if possible.

How long will it take? 

You will be asked to fill out an interview “intake sheet” with name, address, social security number, etc.  And you should probably have some official ID, such as license,  that proves you are who you say you are.  Then the person who is handling the intake will assign you to a tax preparer.  It could take as little as 20 minutes or as long as a couple of hours, depending on your financial information.                                 

Need we say, for those who take advantage, this will be time well spent?

TAX-AIDE  SITES AND TIMES

Patten Free Library - Tuesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 4 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Bath Senior Center - Monday & Saturday 9 a.m. - noon

*Curtis Memorial Library - Wednesday 3:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friday 12:30 p.m.- 4 p.m.

*People Plus, Brunswick - Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - noon, Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*Topsham Library - Monday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*Freeport Town Hall - Wednesday 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

*Boothbay YMCA - Monday 9 a.m. - noon

*Dresden Bridge Academy Library - Tuesday & Thursday 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

*Wiscasset Community Center - Tuesday 9 a.m. - noon

* = Appointment required

For further information, please call Mary Louise Blanchard, District Coordinator, 386-1048