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RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program

RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide 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 old and older.  Our program runs during tax season.

The program has more than 100 volunteers who are trained to prepare simple tax forms. Each year we prepare nearly 5,000 federal and state (Maryland) returns.  Please note that this year we are only able to prepare 2016, 2017 and 2018 returns. The  AARP flier provides more information on 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.

The RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide program prepares taxes at more than 20 different locations across Montgomery County.

See locations with appointments in 2019.

To respect your time we work by appointment only.

Appointments are all filled for this tax season.  

The scheduling office is closed until January 2020

To hear a recorded message call
240-777-2577

Taxpayer: What to bring to your appointment

General

  • Last year’s (2017) tax return(s)
  • Social Security cards for yourself and every individual on your return (required this year).
  • Photo I.D. required for all taxpayers.
  • Checkbook if you want to direct deposit any refund(s) into your bank account.

Income

  • W-2 from each employer
  • Unemployment compensation statements
  • SSA-1099 Form showing the total Social Security benefits paid to you for the year, or Form RRB-1099, Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits
  • 1099 Forms reporting interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), proceeds from sales (1099-B), as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets
  • 1099-R Form if you received a pension, annuity, or IRA distribution
  • 1099-MISC Forms
  • Information about other forms of Income
  • State or local income tax refunds

Payments

  • All forms and canceled checks indicating federal and state income tax paid (including quarterly estimated tax payments)

Deductions

Most taxpayers have a choice of taking either a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. If you have a substantial amount of deductions, you may want to itemize. You will need to bring the following information:

  • 1098 Form showing any home mortgage interest
  • A list of medical/dental expenses (including doctor and hospital bills and medical insurance premiums), a list of prescription medicines, costs of assisted living services, and bills for home improvements such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities
  • Summary of contributions to charity
  • Receipts or canceled checks for all quarterly or other paid tax
  • Property Tax bills and proof of payment
Please note: If you itemized last year, bring all the information on the deductions listed above this year. Although the standard deduction has increased under the new tax law, it may be advantageous to itemize to minimize both federal and Maryland taxes. 

Health Insurance

  • 1095A Forms if you purchased insurance through the Marketplace (Exchange)
  • 1095B/1095C Forms (if applicable)
  • Any exemption correspondence from the Marketplace (if applicable)

Credits

  • Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, or Social Security number)
  • 1098-T and 1098-E Forms (Tuition and Student Loan Interest)

Taxpayer: Your Tax Preparation Appointment

When you arrive at the site for your tax preparation appointment, you will be asked to fill out Part I through Part VII (page 1 to top of page 3) of the   Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet.  The grey sections will be filled in by a volunteer preparer. Volunteers at the site are prepared to help you complete the form and answer any questions that you may have about the form.

If you would like to review the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet before your appointment, you may download the form and complete some or all of Part I through Part VII before your appointment.   Bring the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet and all supporting tax documents (see What to Bring above) to your appointment.

Snow Policy

If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed, the RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Scheduling Office will be closed but there will be a message on 240-777-2577 listing the status of all tax preparation sites for that day, whether open or closed. If your site is closed, to reschedule, call the Scheduling Office at 240-777-2577 the next business day. 

Other free tax preparation services in Montgomery County

Go to   http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cashback/schedule.html

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program logo
Tax-Aide is a program of the Montgomery County's RSVP program (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).  



Acuity Scheduling logo  The Montgomery County Tax-Aide program expresses its gratitude to Acuity Scheduling, Inc. for its donation of the Acuity Scheduling software being used in our central scheduling office this year. We expect the use of this software will simplify the scheduling process for both our volunteers and the taxpayers we serve.