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Taxpayer Information and Responsibilities

Taxpayers will:
  • Provide all required information and documents to ensure the completion of your return
  • Sign-in at the tax site and follow the guidance of the volunteer
  • Complete the Intake Booklet fully and accurately
  • Participate in the intake interview, tax preparation and quality review process
  • Inform the volunteer of all income including cash, gambling winnings, etc.
  • Understand that some returns are beyond the program scope (see scope poster) or have complicated state or other issues. If your return falls outside the program scope, you must either prepare your own return or engage a professional preparer.
  • Ensure the return is complete and accurate before signing. Joint returns require the signature of both spouses.
  • Agree that you are responsible for the accuracy of the return
  • Treat volunteers with courtesy and respect
  • Questions? Call 888-687-2277 or email taxaide@aarp.org
Tax-Aide volunteers will:
  • Treat taxpayers in a courteous and professional manner
  • Prepare tax returns within the scope of the program
  • Provide tax assistance based on the information and documents provided by the taxpayer
  • Quality review all tax returns
  • Respect taxpayers’ privacy and confidentiality

Essential Documents to Have at the Tax Site

  • Government-issued photo ID for the taxpayer(s) on the return
  • Social Security cards or ITIN documentation for all taxpayers and dependents named on the return
  • Copy of last year's tax return
  • Income documents for wages, self-employment or rental income, interest, dividends, capital gains/losses, unemployment compensation, prizes, gambling winnings, awards, pensions and other retirement income, Social Security benefits and self-employment
  • Any form 1099 documents you received, including form 1099-MISC, 1099-K, and 1099-Q
  • Corporate shareholder information - Schedule K-1 Form 1120S listing your share of the corporation's income, deductions, credits, etc.
  • Brokerage statements — sale of stocks or bonds
  • Healthcare — Forms 1095 A if have marketplace insurance
  • Mortgage interest, medical/dental expenses, charitable donations, sales, income or property taxes
  • Records of federal and state income taxes paid
  • Records of any alimony you paid or received
  • Mortgage foregiveness — Form 982
  • Educational expenses — Form 1098-T, student's detailed financial school account; other education expenses
  • Documentation of any child or dependent care paid
  • Checking or savings account info for direct deposit of refund or direct debit of balance due
  • Any stimulus check receipt or tax document that you may have received from your state
  • Any other recent IRS or state tax department correspondence