Agency - AARP Tax-Aide Program

The AARP Tax-Aide Program provides free income tax counseling and help in tax form preparation for disadvantaged, low-to-middle income and elderly taxpayers. Counselors are trained in cooperation with the IRS, Minnesota Department of Revenue and AARP.

Description:
For over 40 years, the AARP Tax-Aide Program has helped thousands of older Minnesotans and those with low-to-moderate income prepare their tax returns and obtain the credits and refunds due them. The program is free and all counselors are volunteers. In the Rochester area, appointments are scheduled at The Salvation Army (424-4197; 288-3663, September-December), Senior Center (287-1404) and Hawthorne Education Center (287-1958), February 1 through April 15 and again in mid-July for 4 weeks. In addition, counselors provide help at various senior residences in Rochester and in several outlying communities in Olmsted and Dodge County. Arrangements can be made for home visits for the homebound and for translators if notified in advance. We begin training for new counselors in the fall; if interested please contact the Coordinator before November 1.

History:
AARP Tax-Aide started in 1968, serving primarily seniors, and in 1980 expanded to include disadvantaged and low-to-middle income taxpayers. During the 2009 filing season, over 4200 taxpayers were assisted in Rochester and surrounding area by our dedicated volunteers.

Contact people:

Ella VanLaningham, District Coordinator, (phone), (email) Alan Goldberg, Communications Coordinator, (phone), (email) Bill Wiktor, Training Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

Major Rochester Sites - Salvation Army, Senior Center, Hawthorne Education Center Rochester, MN 55906 (See a map)

Directions:

All sites are handicap accessible. Other outreach sites also help individuals with tax returns in Olmsted and Dodge Counties.