AARP Tax-Aide Foundation will give free tax help at 2 Sumter offices starting Feb. 1

Starting Jan. 6, 2020, AARP volunteers will begin training to help taxpayers prepare their 2019 federal and state returns for free.

AARP Tax-Aide professionally prepares and e-files all returns. The foundation's volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS and AARP, and most of the volunteers have been with the AARP Tax-Aide program between three and 16 years. The volunteers enjoy helping their communities and meeting the taxpayers.

Opening for tax preparation services on Feb. 1, 2020, District 7 AARP Tax-Aide will have two offices in Sumter (South Sumter Resource Center and Spectrum Senior Citizen Center), an office in Clarendon County and an office in Kershaw County. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will also provide tax preparation as needed on an appointment basis at USC Sumter. Specific dates and times will be announced at a later date.

The foundation's goal is to help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety surrounding income tax preparation. Taxpayers are saved from having to pay to have their returns prepared. Monies saved can be used by the taxpayer to help in household needs and/or to start a savings plan.

Free tax preparation services are available to all taxpayers regardless of age. There is not an age limitation, and AARP membership is not required.

Some limitations apply with regard to having your returns prepared such as volunteers are not allowed to prepare returns for rental income unless the taxpayer is active duty military, disaster loss or for individuals who own a business with employees.

Questions regarding tax preparation services or about becoming a volunteer with the program can be directed to Lula King at (803) 316-0772 or Emmly Dinkins at (803) 983-2514.