AARP offers free tax preparation assistance

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites across North Dakota begin to open Feb. 1 to help people prepare their 2019 tax returns. This free service is available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers of all ages with special attention to those 60 and older.

You do not have to be an AARP member to take advantage of the service.

IRS-certified volunteers are trained to assist in filing accurate returns and help taxpayers receive all of the benefits, credits, and deductions to which they are entitled. All AARP Tax-Aide sites e-file returns, also at no cost, which helps taxpayers get refunds quickly. Every taxpayer’s return is quality reviewed and all information is kept confidential. 

Last year in North Dakota 9,617 people were helped with their federal and state tax returns. This year more than 100 volunteer preparers and client facilitators will staff 11 sites across the state.

Communities with Tax-Aide offices are:

• Bismarck–Mandan
  
  • Bismarck Senior Center, 9:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:15-11:30 a.m. Saturday, beginning Feb. 1. You must make an appointment. You can make your own appointment online at bismarcktaxes.setmore.com or by calling 701-751-4074.
  • Edgewood Vista Village, 3124 Colorado Lane, 9:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, beginning Feb. 4. You must make an appointment. You can make your own appointment online at edgewoodtaxes.setmore.com or by calling 701-751-4074.
  • Morton-Mandan Public Library, 9:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; and 3:30-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Feb. 1. You must make an appointment. You can make your own appointment online at mandantaxes.setmore.com or by calling 701-751-4074.
• Devils Lake – Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, beginning Feb. 15.
• Dickinson – Public Library, 1-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, beginning Feb. 3.
• Fargo–Moorhead-West Fargo
  
  • Olivet Lutheran Church (Fargo), 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday and Friday, beginning Feb. 3.
  • Hjemkomst Center (Moorhead), 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday, beginning Feb. 6.
  • Faith Lutheran Church (West Fargo), 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning Feb. 4.
• ​Grand Forks – Campbell Library (East Grand Forks), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, beginning Feb. 1.
• Minot – American Legion, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, beginning Feb. 1. You must make an appointment by calling 701-509-1446.
• Wahpeton – Community Center, Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 5. You must make an appointment by calling 701-642-2811.

Individuals should ensure that they have all of the documents they need to file before coming to a Tax-Aide site, including Social Security cards, photo IDs, and a copy of last year’s tax returns.

AARP Tax-Aide sites will remain open until April 15.

AARP Tax-Aide began in 1968. It is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax preparation service, where volunteers commit their time and talents to help their neighbors. The AARP Foundation administers AARP Tax-Aide in cooperation with the IRS.