AARP Maine Tax-Aide Program is looking for volunteers
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging recognized AARP Maine as their "Community Partner of the Year". In the words of Megan Walton: Working with your team has been a collaborative and powerful partnership for us. From the work we did with your volunteers on providing additional support for tax benefits/assistance to clients, to continuing to partner with the lifelong communities, to the continued advocacy on behalf of older adults and caregivers, AARP Maine demonstrates what it means to be a strong and client-centered community partner."
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax assistance to those who need it most: people 50 years of age and older; community members who may have disabilities; and individuals and families generally earning $60,000 or less.
In 2022, Tax-Aide volunteers filed returns for over 13,000 Maine taxpayers with an average refund of $775! Volunteers also assisted low-income residents file Maine returns so they could apply for Sales Tax and rent credits, which provided an average of $100-130 payments. Without the AARP Tax-Aide program, people would not have known they were eligible for the small but much needed payments.
One volunteer noted “There is little that is more gratifying than to be able to help alleviate our clients’ stress and worry about getting their taxes filed correctly and on time. For some, there is the joy and relief of getting a refund, or even better, getting tax credits they didn’t even know existed – giving them some much-needed cash to cover their expenses.” In recognition of the outstanding work of Tax-Aide volunteers, Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging awarded AARP Maine its 2023 Community Partner of the Year.
The Tax-Aide program is eager to work with communities to reach to more Mainers. In early 2023, Candy Eaton of Age-Friendly Sullivan asked if there was a way to provide Tax-Aide services to her community. In collaboration with the District Tax-Aide leader and a member of her management team, a few Tax-Aide sessions at the local public library were arranged to help meet the needs of Sullivan residents. Other lifelong communities - from Danforth to Berwick - have enjoyed similar success.
In 2024, the Tax-Aide program is looking forward to providing these valuable services to more residents, but we need an infusion of additional dedicated and passionate volunteers to help! Training for the upcoming tax season will be beginning soon and we need more friendly people to work as volunteers in communities such as yours all across Maine.
Volunteers may work as Tax Counselors, preparing and filing tax returns online; Client Facilitators greeting taxpayers at tax prep sites; and Schedulers helping set up appointments. All necessary training is provided, and volunteer schedules are flexible based on site needs.
Visit https://www.aarp.org/volunteer/programs/tax-aide/ to complete and submit an interest form. A Maine Tax-Aide leader will contact you to discuss volunteer opportunities near you. Questions? Email Patrice at patw.taxaide.me@gmail.com.