AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) is again offering free income-tax preparation assistance to residents of Andover, along with free electronic filing, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who  have low to moderate income.  AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax-preparation service, and it operates across the country.

IRS-trained volunteers will be available at the Andover Community Hub on Wednesdays from February 2 to April 13. To participate, residents are asked to call 802 332-5065 to set up an appointment, to learn what documents and information they need to have available, or if they have questions as to their eligibility.

Volunteer Jeff North has said, “We will do any return that is not too complex. Businesses with employees are beyond our scope. I’m glad to answer questions from anyone who is unsure of their tax-return complexity and whether or not we can help them.” 

The Hub is located at 157 Main Street, and the service will be offered again this year with COVID-related guidelines in place.  When arriving for an appointment, residents will be asked to remain in their cars, to bring a cell phone if possible, and to have a mask available.  A volunteer will meet them outside, interview them, and take their documents inside to prepare.  Additional questions can be asked via cell phone or by the volunteer coming back outside. 

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. For more information about TaxAide and what kinds of returns can be prepared and what can’t, you can check AARP.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/.