Volunteers needed for Tax-Aide program

The woman across from volunteer tax preparer Jan Watson was scared. She couldn't afford to owe money on her tax return, which Watson was preparing free through the Tax Aide program. When Watson told her that instead she would be getting a refund, the woman broke into tears and shared that she would finally be able to buy her children winter clothing.

Last year 120 AARP Foundation volunteers helped 6,124 Alaskans file their federal tax returns, saving them an estimated $1.2 million in tax preparation fees. The taxpayers earned more than $6.8 million in tax refunds and $1.3 million in Earned Income Tax Credit.

Alaska AARP Foundation Tax-Aide needs new volunteers for the upcoming tax season in communities around the state. No experience is needed; Tax Aide will train you how to input taxpayers' information and the software program does the rest.

Please consider being a part of this fabulous program. IRS-certified instructors teach a 40-hour training, with all materials supplied by the IRS and the AARP Foundation.

"Alaskans we serve really appreciate what we do for them," said Watson, who serves as the Anchorage District Coordinator. "It's incredibly rewarding."

Apply at http://www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide and a Tax Aide representative will contact you.

Are you not interested in doing taxes but good with people? Great! We also need client facilitators at all sites. These important volunteers greet customers, answer questions and make sure people have all the necessary documents.

Sites in 13 communities provide free tax help at libraries, senior centers and other convenient locations: Anchorage, Chugiak-Eagle River, Fairbanks, Juneau, Girdwood, Homer, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Soldotna, Sitka, Palmer, Wasilla, and Wrangell. Volunteers are needed in all cities.

A new location may open in Seward if we are successful in finding volunteers.

In Anchorage, training starts in December with a break for the holidays and continues in January.