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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Free Tax-Filing Service Looking for Nebraska Volunteers

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Wednesday, October 16, 2019   

LINCOLN, Neb. – The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program is the nation's largest volunteer-run tax-preparation service – and it's expanding its Nebraska team of volunteers for the upcoming tax season.

The program offers in-person tax preparation to seniors and low- and moderate-income workers, free of charge. Don Ellingson, a volunteer trainer, says Tax-Aide can be a lifeline for people who can't afford to hire an accountant, or are just not comfortable filing electronically on their own.

"They may not feel they have the computer skills,” says Ellingson. “We have widows or widowers who may not understand some of the issues, or they may not have been doing the returns for the last 20 years."

You don't have to be a lawyer or CPA to volunteer, and Ellingson encourages people to check out a training session before deciding if the program is a good match. Volunteers are shown how to navigate an online form and enter information provided by clients.

Ellingson says the software works with most basic wage, contractor and pension returns, and can help qualified filers get Earned Income Tax Credits and homestead property-tax exemptions. To learn more about volunteering, call toll-free: 888-OUR-AARP, or 888-687-2277.

Nationally, on their 2018 returns, participating taxpayers received $1.4 billion in tax refunds and more than $200 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. Ellingson says many satisfied Tax-Aide clients come back year after year, and he notes the volunteers also get benefits.

"As a volunteer, I guess what I appreciate the most is realizing the gratitude that they have for getting this onerous task accomplished for them,” says Ellingson.

Last year, some 200 Tax-Aide volunteers in Nebraska helped more than 14,000 people file their federal and state tax returns. The service is offered at two dozen sites across the state, including senior centers and libraries, and filers don't have to be an AARP member or a senior to get tax help.

Disclosure: AARP Nebraska contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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