AARP again offering free tax service

The AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation forIllinoistaxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation'slargest free tax assistance and preparation service,giving special attention the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. 

"The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program provides invaluable help to thousands of individuals each year during tax season," said Gerardo Cardenas, AARP Illinois communications director. "Tax-Aide volunteers helped over 80,000 Illinoisans last year, and they're ready to help even more in 2015."

In 2014, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide's 36,000 volunteers at more than 5,000 sites provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure their knowledge of revisions to the U.S. tax code. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received$1.3 billionin income tax refunds and more than$257 millionin Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs).

Last year, 1,123 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 83,000 Illinoisans file their federal and state tax returns. Illinoisans who used Tax-Aide obtained over$43 millionin income tax refunds, and over$5 millionin EITC refunds. The program is offered at approximately two-hundred sites inIllinoisincluding senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations. 

Preparation of tax returns under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules will require additional documentation from taxpayers this year. The good news is that for taxpayers on Medicare or Medicare Advantage for the full year, no further information is required. Otherwise, taxpayers need to bring along their family's health insurance coverage information including information about Marketplace/Exchange purchases, and health care exemptions. 

For more information on documentation is required or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelpor call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. 

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