Tax season is officially underway — and so too is free tax preparation assistance by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.
Fairfax County is partnering with the nonprofit to provide eight county facilities where residents can get no-cost help filling out their federal and state taxes through April 15.
Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year, according to AARP. At every location, volunteers can help you prepare your federal and Virginia state tax returns, and some locations can also assist you with District of Columbia and Maryland taxes.
LOCATIONS AND HOURS
Tax assistance is offered at eight county facilities, including governmental centers, libraries and community centers.
The dates and hours for tax assistance vary by location. Appointments are required at some sites while walk-ins are accepted at others.
Carefully check the dates, hours and requirements for each location before you go.
The Mason District Governmental Center is the largest of the eight locations, and it is primarily open for walk-in assistance.
KINDS OF TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Tax aides can help you with most — but not all — tax returns, including returns with:
- Wages, interest, dividends, capital gains or losses, pensions and Social Security benefits
- Self-employment income with limits
- Qualified business income deduction with limits
- 1099 income
- IRA contributions
- Health savings accounts
However, volunteers can’t help with complicated tax returns that involve a small business with employees, rental income or alternative minimum tax.
Before you visit an assistance location, check what kinds of tax returns the program can and can’t prepare.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
To get assistance, you will need to bring identification and tax documents with you. Check the complete list before you go.
At a minimum, you need to bring the following kinds of documents, according to the Tax-Aide program:
- Government-issued photo ID for you (and your spouse, if married filing jointly)
- Social Security card for you (and your spouse, if married filing jointly)
- Social Security cards or ITIN numbers for each of the dependents named on your return. (For ITIN numbers, please bring the issuing letter.)
- A completed information packet for the site you’re visiting
DO YOUR TAXES YOURSELF AND FILE FOR FREE
If you want to do your taxes yourself, the federal and state governments offer free online tax preparation and filing for people within certain income limits.
Learn more:
MORE INFORMATION
For questions or more information about the help available through AARP’s Tax-Aide program, contact the location you wish to visit.
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