Free tax help
putting money in the pockets of people who need it 

Tax season doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. There are several free programs to help older Mainers file taxes. Even people who don’t expect to owe anything should file. Older people in your community who don’t file may miss the chance to get some extra cash in their pocket.

AARP Tax-Aide and CASH Maine both offer free tax preparation assistance. These trained volunteers can help navigate the filing process at no cost. To find out if there is an AARP tax site near you, click here. If neither program is nearby, call 211 to learn about other options available in your area.

Now, for the best bit—a little extra spending money for community members who need it. Filing taxes is an opportunity to claim tax credits people may be entitled to, including the Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Sales Tax Fairness Credit. These credits can put real money back in people’s pockets.

If that wasn’t enough, there is another advantage: once all the documents needed for filing are gathered—income statements, property tax bills, and other records—people  have everything they need to see if they qualify for additional income-based programs like the Medicare Savings Program and LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).

Please help Lifelong Maine spread the word to make sure that people in your community who are struggling to pay bills can access the help they have earned.