I volunteer to help with tax prep, and you can too.

A government tax worker in 1935 (photo from loc.gov)

by Suzanne Orenstein

I have been a volunteer in the AARP volunteer tax preparer program for the past year and it is one of the best volunteer experiences I have had. The tax training is useful and the other volunteers are stimulating and dedicated. My work has been at the Petworth Library which has significantly expanded my knowledge of DC neighborhoods.

The AARP Tax-Aide program for the District of Columbia urgently needs volunteers for the 2017 tax season. The program is offered in conjunction with the IRS and is part of the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. As a volunteer Counselor or Client Facilitator, you’ll be helping lower income people in your own community with a much-needed service that’s free, individualized and has no strings attached.

The DC program team will provide five days of software and tax training in January 2017 as well as lap-top computers for use during training and in preparing returns. You commit to volunteering for one or more four-hour shifts weekly from the beginning of February through April 15, 2017 (two shifts are strongly encouraged).

If you are interested in volunteering, contact AARP by the end of November, as training is scheduled in December and January. And you can request a volunteer location – including the nearby Chevy Chase Library. There is no guarantee, though most get the assignment they want.

Please visit aarp.org/taxaide to sign up, or contact a Prospective Volunteer Specialist at [email protected] or [email protected].