AARP is seeking area volunteers to assist with the Tax-Aide program offered locally in libraries and seniors centers, including the Southlake Public Library and the Southlake Senior Activity Center. The Tax-Aide program prepares over 2.5 million returns annually with over 35,000 volunteers nationally. Volunteers are being actively recruited in Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, and Keller to assist with this popular program.

Volunteers should be comfortable with computers. Some personal tax experience in the past is a plus – but not a requirement. There are no age limits, meaning volunteers do not have to be retired or a member of AARP.   All necessary training, training materials, and computers are provided. The formal training is in January during a 4-day training class, which is a combination of tax laws and practical exercises (preparing returns). Prior to the January class, training materials are sent to each volunteer and they are encouraged to study and do practical exercises prior to the January class.   At the completion of training, each volunteer must pass a test for certification. The test, which is mainly preparing tax returns, can be done at the volunteer’s own pace and is open book so all of the reference materials are available.   AARP asks volunteers to work one 4-hour shift each week for the 11 weeks of the tax season. The shift is the same time, day, and location each week and an effort is made to match volunteers with the closest site to their home or work place. Veteran volunteers are close by new recruits offering encouragement and assistance to ensure accurate returns are prepared.  Returns are almost always electronically filed with the IRS and acceptance is received in a matter of a few hours.

To volunteer, applicants should contact Bill Taylor at (817) 217-4434 or wstaylor@aol.com.  Mr. Taylor will take some very basic contact information then enter the volunteer into the Tax-Aide system.  A district coordinator will contact the volunteer and provide additional details on the training and site locations.