Tax season is here, and AARP’s Tax-Aide program is open for 2026. The program offers free tax preparation to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers aged 50 and older and those with low to moderate income. You do not need to be an AARP member to use it.
Tax-Aide is the largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance program in the country. Last year, more than 28,000 trained volunteers prepared returns at roughly 4,500 sites across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. They helped about 1.8 million people file their taxes.
Here is everything you need to know to take advantage of this program.
How AARP Tax-Aide Works
The program is simple. You make an appointment at a local Tax-Aide site. A trained, IRS-certified volunteer prepares your federal and state tax returns for free. They file them electronically and help you get your refund as fast as possible.
The volunteers are not paid tax professionals. They are retirees, community members, and other trained individuals who have passed the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certification exam. They receive annual training on current tax law changes.
Tax-Aide can handle most common tax situations for seniors, including:
- Social Security income
- Pension and retirement account distributions (1099-R)
- Interest and dividend income (1099-INT, 1099-DIV)
- Part-time or gig work income
- Itemized or standard deductions
- Medical expense deductions
- Property tax credits (varies by state)
- The Senior Tax Credit (Credit for the Elderly or Disabled)
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) reporting
What Tax-Aide Cannot Handle
The program has limits. Tax-Aide volunteers are not equipped to prepare returns that involve:
- Business income with employees (Schedule C with payroll)
- Rental property income or depreciation (Schedule E)
- Complex investment transactions (options, short sales, cryptocurrency trading)
- Farm income (Schedule F)
- Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) situations
- Returns for taxpayers who have not filed in several years and owe back taxes
If your tax situation involves any of these, you will need a paid tax preparer or CPA. But for the vast majority of retirees with straightforward income from Social Security, pensions, and savings, Tax-Aide can handle it.
How to Find a Site Near You
Tax-Aide sites are located in community centers, libraries, churches, senior centers, and other public buildings. To find the nearest one:
- Online: Go to aarp.org/taxaide and use the site locator. Enter your ZIP code to see nearby locations, hours, and appointment information.
- By phone: Call 1-888-227-7669 (1-888-AARPNOW) to find a site and make an appointment.
- In person: Ask at your local library or senior center. Many of them host Tax-Aide sites or can point you to one.
Most sites operate from February 1 through April 15. Some locations open earlier in January and stay open through mid-April. Hours vary by site, but many are open on weekdays during normal business hours. Some offer Saturday hours.
Appointments are required at most sites. Walk-ins may be accepted if time allows, but do not count on it. Call ahead or book online to reserve your spot.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Come prepared and you will save time. Bring the following:
Identity documents:
- Photo ID for you and your spouse (if filing jointly)
- Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) for everyone on the return
Income documents:
- Social Security benefit statement (SSA-1099)
- Pension and retirement distributions (1099-R)
- Interest income (1099-INT)
- Dividend income (1099-DIV)
- Any W-2 forms if you worked part-time
- Any 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms for freelance or gig work
- Any 1099-K forms for payment apps (PayPal, Venmo) if you received more than $600
Deduction documents (if you itemize):
- Medical and dental expense receipts or summary
- Property tax bills
- Mortgage interest statement (1098)
- Charitable donation receipts
Other helpful items:
- Last year’s tax return (very helpful for the volunteer to reference)
- Bank account number and routing number (for direct deposit of your refund)
- Health insurance documentation (Form 1095-A if you used the Marketplace)
- IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) if the IRS assigned you one
If you are filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign the return, or one spouse must have a power of attorney.
New for the 2026 Tax Year
Several tax changes affect the returns you file this year for the 2025 tax year:
- Standard deduction increased. For 2025, the standard deduction is $15,700 for single filers and $31,400 for married filing jointly. If you are 65 or older, you get an additional $1,950 (single) or $1,550 per person (married). So a married couple both over 65 filing jointly has a standard deduction of $34,500.
- Tax brackets adjusted for inflation. All seven brackets shifted upward, meaning slightly more of your income is taxed at lower rates.
- Required Minimum Distributions. If you turned 73 in 2025, you must take your first RMD by April 1, 2026. Tax-Aide volunteers can help you report this correctly.
- 1099-K threshold. The IRS reporting threshold for payment platforms (Venmo, PayPal, etc.) is $600 for 2025 transactions. If you received payments above this amount through these platforms, you should receive a 1099-K.
Tax-Aide volunteers receive training on all current-year changes, so they will know how these affect your return.
The IRS Free File Alternative
If you are comfortable doing your taxes on a computer, the IRS Free File program lets you prepare and file your federal return for free using commercial tax software. For 2026, Free File is available to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less.
The IRS also offers Free File Fillable Forms for any income level, but these are basic electronic versions of paper forms with no guidance. They work best for people who already know how to do their taxes.
For most seniors, AARP Tax-Aide is the better option because you get personal help from a real person who can answer your questions.
Other Free Tax Help Options
AARP Tax-Aide is not the only free option:
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). The IRS sponsors VITA sites that serve taxpayers making $67,000 or less. Many VITA sites overlap with Tax-Aide locations. Find one at irs.gov or call 1-800-906-9887.
- TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly). This IRS program specifically serves taxpayers 60 and older. AARP Tax-Aide is actually the largest participant in the TCE program.
- Local nonprofit tax clinics. Some community organizations and United Way chapters offer free tax preparation. Check with your local 211 helpline.
Do Not Pay for Simple Tax Preparation
The average cost of professional tax preparation for a simple individual return is between $200 and $400, depending on your location. For most retirees with straightforward income sources, paying that much is not necessary when free options are available.
If your taxes are simple (Social Security, a pension, maybe some interest income, and the standard deduction), AARP Tax-Aide can handle it at no cost. Save your money for something better.
Tax-Aide sites are filling up fast as filing season gets underway. If you want an appointment, do not wait. Call 1-888-227-7669 or visit aarp.org/taxaide today.
Reported by Robert A. Williams with additional research from the SeniorDaily editorial team. For corrections or updates, please contact us.
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