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All our IRS Certified Tax Counselors can provide a range of Tax Assistance Services:
Our most common service is tax return preparation and filing. We review your tax situation and all your tax documents to prepare and electronically file your federal and state tax return.
Current Year Taxes
Prior Years Taxes for the past three tax years
Amended Tax Returns for those that need to amend a return that was previously filed and originally prepared by AARP Foundation Taxaide (current year or prior three years). Each site will determine the type and number of amended returns they are able to accommodate.
In addition to Maryland State Tax Returns, we can usually also help if you need to file state taxes in states other than Maryland through an AARP Tax-Aide program known as the State Tax Assistance Program. Since not all states participate in this program, please check with us if you need help with a state tax return other than Maryland. People may need to file a state return other than Maryland if they moved in or out of Maryland during the tax year, or sometimes if they had income from another state while a resident of Maryland.
Maryland Homeowners Property Tax Credit and Renters Tax Credit forms. Since these forms are not usually available until late in the tax season, we will provide the information necessary to complete these forms should the filing version not be available at the time of your visit.
We can also be a source for answers to your tax questions. Some customers come to us with specific questions about some element of the tax law that they want to discuss.
Click the button below to see General Tax Facts
What Type of Taxes can we Prepare
What Type of Taxes can we Prepare
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers can help with most, but not all, tax returns. If you have an extremely complicated return, such as one that involves a small business with employees, rental income, or alternative minimum tax (AMT), Tax-Aide may not be able to help. See what type of taxes we can prepare.
What to Bring for Tax Assistance Services
What to Bring for Tax Assistance Services
Every year we will ask that you fill out our intake form that helps us understand your tax situation. You can download that form here (English or Spanish) and fill out as much as you can prior to coming to us for tax assistance. We will also have blank forms available at our tax assistance sites should you not be able to fill out the intake form in advance.
Based on your tax situation, there are also one or more worksheets that you may need to prepare. The most common worksheets we use or for people that have small businesses and for people that use itemized deductions. Most people do not itemize deductions as the standard deduction is fairly high:
Single: $15,750 ($17,750 if over 65)
Married Filing Jointly: $31,500 ($33,500 if over 65)
Head of Household: $23,625 ($25,625 if over 65)
Note - For TY2025 people 65+ may be eligible for an additional $6,000 personal exemption (phase out starts when income exceeds $75,000)
If you use the standard deduction, you don't need to bring any receipts for items such as mortgage interest, medical expenses, etc.
You can find a library of worksheets in the box to the right and other tax facts at this link.
The IRS has announced its intention to discontinue issuing refunds in the form of a paper check for most 2025 tax returns. As a result, most refunds will be made digitally by direct deposit to the taxpayer's bank account using the bank account details provided at the time the return is filed.
Although the IRS has stated that there will be options offered for people who do not have bank accounts or need exceptions, it is expected that refunds issued in these situations will be significantly delayed.
We expect the IRS to provide more guidance in early 2026 but in the meantime, we strongly encourage you to bring banking information (routing number and account number) to be used for direct deposit of refunds or direct debit of payments due when they come to their appointment. The best way to do this is to bring a check or photocopy of a check with you.
In addition to the intake form, you can find out what documentation you need to bring to your tax assistance session to allow us to prepare your taxes by clicking the button below:
Tax Assistance Process
Tax Assistance Process
At all sites we will work with you using a three-step process. The first step is for you to sit with a certified counselor who will review your tax documents, ask clarifying questions to make sure we have all the information we need. This is our intake process.
Step two is for the counselor to prepare your tax return. During this second step, once the counselor completes your return, a second certified counselor will review your return to ensure accuracy. The review counselor may also ask you questions to help verify your return’s accuracy.
In the final step, after the preparation and review of your return, a counselor will review your completed return with you. Once that review is complete, you sign all required documents and receive a printed copy of your return. At that time, all the tax documents you gave us will be returned to you. Your tax return and appointment is now complete. Later that same day, we will electronically file your tax return for you. You will be notified in the rare case that there is an issue with the electronic filing of your return that requires attention.
Prepare My Own Taxes Online
Prepare My Own Taxes Online
Use free software to prepare your own taxes with the assistance of an IRS-certified volunteer coach.
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