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I recently completed my 8th season performing volunteer tax returns. I’ve worked in 2 states (Pa and NJ), 3 counties, and 7 centers. All but one year was performed under the auspices of the AARP TaxAide program. In several years I also worked for a local program supporting the Division of Aging and Disability in Cape May County, NJ.
This year’s location was at a local library in Monmouth County, NJ. The center was open 3 days a week. We typically had 5 or 6 tax preparers available. We routinely had clients waiting at the door as library opened at 9 AM, and worked steadily until 5 PM. The available spots were booked early in the tax season, and we routinely had walk-up clients hoping we could fit them in. We almost always found a way to help them.
There are a number of HumbleDollar contributors who support their communities in this way. Howard Rohleder and Dan Smith provided great summaries of their experiences this tax season (here and here). Their communities are lucky to have such dedicated and talented volunteers.
Our site had similar experiences to those described by Howard and Dan. There was confusion over the new tax provisions. Many clients were convinced that their Social Security benefits are no longer taxable. Some were happily surprised by the new $6,000 bonus senior deduction.
The IRS provides the tax preparation software TaxSlayer. It has a very different user interface than TurboTax, but our training is adequate to get started. It does a good job with the federal return, but can be clunky with state returns. New Jersey has a complicated state income tax code. The state also has a number of property tax relief programs, with different eligibility requirements (age, income, home ownership). The interaction between the federal and state portions of the software is often challenging or incomplete. We frequently have to do extra calculations to get the state return right. TaxSlayer does not support property tax relief applications, so we do those by hand when requested.
Some statistics to give you an idea of the scope of the program.
Completing a client’s tax return is a surprisingly intimate act. Clients frequently offer details about their families, their health, their jobs, and, occasionally, their politics. The trust and confidence our clients show in us is humbling. We frequently wish we could do more to help them organize their financial lives. Most are extremely grateful for the help we can provide.
I encourage anyone interested in the volunteer tax prep service to check it out. The need is great. Last night our group had its end of the season get together. We did over 1550 returns- up from 1250 last year. This year there were no promotion efforts— the growth was all due to word of mouth.
And don’t worry about the very rare high earners we occasionally serve. They are true outliers. I can attest to the real financial need of the vast majority of our clients. WI provides Homestead Credit for anyone with income less than $24,000 a year. I completed the returns for many clients who qualified,
to access the learning materials for VITA, simply google “training for VITA tax prep.” It will take you to the IRS Link and Learn materials, There are two levels of certification— basic and advanced. By far, most of returns we do are basic. And as noted below, the tax prep colleagues are great and do help one another.
Thanks Marilyn.
In attempt to clarify income limitations – there are two primary free tax preparation programs, AARP and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). AARP does not have any income limit. VITA has a $69,000 income limit. That was the limit for 2025 taxes prepared in early 2026. That limit does increase every year for inflation. This is established by the IRS, not us.
At our VITA site, we can and at times do prepare returns that are above the threshold. But if more than 10% of our returns are above, the IRS will yank our funding. While we are all volunteers, the IRS funding does help pay for the laptops we use, the printer and associatied supplies, etc. We are allowed to prepare returns for “friends and family.” Often these are the returns that are above the income threshold, and they do count towards that 10% limit.
Both AARP and VITA programs have situations that are “out of scope” for which we cannot do the return. If a person has income from self-employment, we can do it; if they have a loss, we cannot. Rental income is out of scope. Farm income is a no-no. These are rules set by the IRS.
FWIW – I prepare taxes at a VITA site in Iowa. My brother, Kenyon Sayler, does taxes at an AARP site in Minnesota. If I need help with an usual situation, I often call him.
Larry, thanks for the clarification and additional information. As I wrote, I’ve worked several years at a VITA site in Cape May County, NJ. One of those years I also worked at a local AARP site. A number of us worked at both sites. The training was the same and for all practical purposes the sites ran the same way. The VITA site had a higher percentage of non-retirement age clients, so it presented some different challenges.
Your mention of calling your brother highlights one of the best parts of the program. As a preparer you have access to a large number of highly experienced preparers and verified tools to help as needed.
I just heard from our site lead that 67 of the 76 taxpayers with an AGI under $10,000 were 65 or older. Most of the senior clients we serve have some SS benefits that are probably not taxed, so their total income could be larger than the $10,000 AGI would indicate. A single taxpayer with an average SS benefit of $24,000, and $10,000 of other taxable income (say IRA withdrawal), would have an AGI of $10,000, but none of their SS benefit would be taxable, and they would have no taxable income. Because of the new bonus senior deduction of $6,000, in 2025 a senior could have an AGI of $23,750 before owing any federal tax. Still a meager income for a retire in one of the more expensive parts of the country.
Rick, thanks for your thoughts on the TaxAide program. I agree with all of your comments, including that clunky state software.
It’s really true that we get to watch families grow by doing their tax returns year after year. Knowing my clients was an aspect of the job that helped keep me working until I turned 70.
Thanks Dan. Even thought I’ve only worked in this location for 3 years, I am already getting to know some of the clients.
Where does one find training to help others in this way?
Dave, here is a link to the AARP TaxAide site.
Thanks, Rick! I will check into it.
The TaxAide program provides training on its website, along with in-person sessions. We’re always looking for a few good volunteers.
Thanks, Dan!
The IRS provides materials and there is online instruction. Some places offer classes, but that’s not really necessary for most volunteers. If you do your own taxes with software like TurboTax, you can get up to speed pretty fast. I’ll try to provide some more specific info. Training takes place in January so everyone can get recertified— we all need to pass tests— by the time the tax season heats up in February.
Thanks, Marilyn!
There are always people who will game the system, but I can’t even guess how the clients I see manage to survive. Just one example— our clinic got a total of $312,000 with the returns we prepared.
Accidentally posted this in wrong place. Meant it as a reply to RQ below
Good job Rick. I’m sure it appreciated.
Seems like those with AGI $200,000 plus are taking advantage of a free service.
I have used Turboxtax for several years for Fed and NJ returns and never noticed any complication.
Thanks Dick. TurboTax is much better at the Federal to State transtion. TaxSlayer requires a number of work arounds to manage the differences in the 2 tax codes.
The preparers at my location feel the same way about high income people using the service.
When I used Turbotax (many years ago), it handled state returns with ease compared to TaxSlayer.
Rick, you are performing truly meaningful volunteer service. I commend Dan, Howard, Marilyn Lavin, you and others who perform work that requires significant time and energy, without monetary compensation.
Thanks Ed. It will sound cliche and self-serving, but I do get a lot out of it. And the other volunteers are some of the smartest, kindest, and most caring people I have ever met.
Rick, those are interesting stats. Is there a fee for using this tax service? I was under the impression a tax payer had to be under $89,000 AGI to be eligible.
Olin,
There are no fees. Every one is a volunteer and cannot accept any payment – with the exception of a few cookies or pastries that some clients thoughtfully donate.
The IRS’ Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site says it offers help to “People who generally make $69,000 or less”. AARP and other sites where have worked do not discriminate. You also don’t have to be a senior citizen or an AARP member. Most of the larger incomes I’ve seen were a “one-time” event. If a taxpayer has significant income a site lead may suggest to them that they were taking a slot from someone who really needs the help, and that they might consider a professional preparer.
Thanks Rick and Marilyn! I know there are others on this site that do this volunteer work and I wouldn’t have known about it if it weren’t for HumbleDollar.
There is no income limit, as Rick noted, we’ve had very few clients with high incomes at the Goodwill ate where I volunteer. Last year, however, I did a return for a woman who earned $175,000. Everyone else I’ve worked with has income that was well under $100,000.
Rick, good on you, and Dan and Howard and the other volunteers, for giving so much time, effort and expertise to these folks. I bet they appreciate the heck out of it.
Thanks Andrew.