AmeriCorps Seniors/AARP Tax-Aide Program
All appointments have been filled for the season.
The AmeriCorps Seniors/AARP Tax-Aide Program provides free federal and state (Maryland) tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income taxpayers who live or work in Montgomery County. Special attention is given to those 60 years and older. Our program runs during tax season.
This year we are operating under Covid protocols, developed by AARP and within our CDC, state and county guidelines. Normally, our volunteers prepare taxes at more than 20 different locations across Montgomery County. This year, given program restrictions, there will be no in-person tax preparation. Instead clients will schedule two brief appointments at one of our scanning locations. All available appointments for this year have been filled.
Other free tax preparation services in Montgomery County
AARP Foundation's Alternative Tax Preparation (ATP) Program is set up to help taxpayers do their own taxes. The taxpayer will enter their own data into web based tax software. The ATP Program can answer tax questions concerning the documents and the tax forms. It is all virtual. More information and to register can be found at https://www.aarp.org/taxaide.
Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cashback/index.html
Is Our Tax-Aide Program For You?
1. This year, because of limits caused by the pandemic, we are only able to serve clients we have served in past years. 2. Read " What AARP Tax-Aide Can Do For You" to see the types of returns we can help with. It explains which returns are considered simple and which are too complex (out-of-scope) for the program. Please read this information before making an appointment. Taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek paid tax assistance.
2. Are you able to come to one of our two scanning sites? The two sites are Rockville Science Center in downtown Rockville or Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring? See locations and directions. If you won't be able to come to one of our sites, see other free services.
Your Tax Preparation Appointment
When you arrive at the site for your tax paperwork scanning appointment, you will have already completed the all the required documents with assistance as necessary via phone or computer online meeting with a tax counselor. In addition, you will have spoken to the tax counselor to make sure that all documents necessary have been gathered as required. It is critical that you be very well prepared before your scanning site appointment. Our Covid Safety protocols require that the scanning appointment be short (up to 15 minutes), which means lots of preparation before taxes can be prepared . This pre-scanning telephone or computer appointment will be a requirement for anyone wishing to do taxes this year via AARP Tax-Aide program. Note that your tax documents will be returned to you immediately after they are scanned.
When you call the Scheduling Office for an appointment, you will be asked if you need required paperwork sent to you by US mail, or whether you are able to download and print all required forms. Because of the pre-appointment preparation time frames, including counselor interview and mailing of forms, most appointments will be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. A second appointment, to pick up your completed tax form copies and to sign e-filing permission, may need to be scheduled one to two weeks after the first intake appointment.
Bring the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet and all supporting tax documents (see What to Bring below) to your appointment, with the required government-issued ID and Social Security cards. Without all of the required paperwork, you will be turned away from your appointment.
If you've determined that you are eligible to have your taxes prepared by us and you agree to this year's program requirements described above, let's make an appointment!
Call the scheduling phone line at 240-777-2577. Our volunteers will schedule a time for you to come to one of the scanning locations to have your tax documents scanned and another time for you to sign and pick up your completed tax returns. Before the scanning appointment a tax counselor will contact you to review all the paperwork needed.
For another AARP-sponsored program that might be able to help with your tax return preparation or tax questions this year, see other free services
Forms to Complete Before Your Appointment
1. Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet - in English (Form 13614-C) / in Spanish (Form 13614-C SP)2. Form 14446
Forms to Bring to Your Appointment
For Drop-Off Model at Schweinhaut Senior CenterForms to Review Before Your Appointment
Tax-Aide Documents PackageSnow Policy
There will be a recorded message on 240-777-2577 listing the status of all Tax-Aide scanner locations for the day, whether open or closed. |
Tax-Aide is a program of Montgomery County's AmeriCorps Seniors Program and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide |  |
The Montgomery County Tax-Aide program expresses its gratitude to Acuity Scheduling, Inc. for its donation of the Acuity Scheduling software.
Other free tax preparation services in Montgomery County
AARP Foundation's Alternative Tax Preparation (ATP) Program is set up to help taxpayers do their own taxes. The taxpayer will enter their own data into web based tax software. The ATP Program can answer tax questions concerning the documents and the tax forms. It is all virtual. More information and to register can be found at https://www.aarp.org/taxaide.
Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cashback/index.html
