The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, which provides free tax preparation, primarily for senior citizens, at the Urbana Senior Center, St. Paris Library and more than 250 other locations across Ohio is looking for volunteer tax preparers for next year.

Last tax season, Tax-Aide turned away countless seniors because more people wanted the service than could be helped. Demand is expected to be even greater next year because of the new tax law. The law’s changes add a new wrinkle to the complex process of filling out tax forms, and many are concerned about doing it properly.

Across Ohio each year more than 1,500 volunteers prepare tax returns at hundreds of senior centers, libraries and churches from early February through mid-April. This year 54 volunteers operating out of 14 locations in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Miami and Shelby counties prepared 4,003 federal and state tax returns, saving local residents an estimated $800,000 in tax preparation fees.

Those who do their own taxes on a commercially available program, such as TurboTax, are ideal candidates for the volunteer opportunity. Volunteers receive IRS-approved training, use IRS-provided tax software and equipment and are mentored throughout the tax season. Volunteers are asked to work at least one day a week during the 10- to 11-week tax season.

For more information about volunteering, contact Tax Aide Administrative Coordinator Tom Beattie (937-778-0339 or [email protected]) or go to the Ohio Tax-Aide website – www.ohiotaxaide.org.