Joan's Corner - February 2025 Newsletter
The February 2025 edition of Joan's Koczor's ..keeping you informed newsletter has just been published. This month's newsletter is full of interesting material ...

Joan Koczor
Information related to tax preparation services or assistance.
Documents You Need for Free Help from AARP Tax-Aide -
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will get your tax returns filled out and filed — all for free.
"The program, aimed at taxpayers 50 and older, is free and doesn’t require AARP membership. You’ll get assistance from volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service. You can even get your tax return sent electronically for free, which will speed your refund. To get help with preparing your tax return from an IRS-certified volunteer, book an appointment using the Site Locator. But you can’t just walk in empty-handed or — even worse — with a shoebox full of receipts. Here’s what you will need:"
Check out this AARP article: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Important Tax Prep Documents
Arizona Taxpayers,
Locations for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites will begin opening on February 1, 2025, to prepare taxes for the 2024 tax year. Please consult the “Appointments” tab on this website to find a Tax-Aide location near you. We look forward to assisting you at any of our Arizona locations.
Geofrey Wolfe
Arizona
State Coordinator
Many of our Tax-Aide locations will be offering traditional In-Person tax assistance this year. Most of our sites will offer appointments and some will reserve space for walk-in taxpayers. Appointments are still recommended, as we cannot guarantee service to every walk-in taxpayer on their day of choice. We appreciate your flexibility when making an appointment, and you will find more information about appointments on the Locations page.
If you have a question or concern, please use the Contact tab to submit a Contact Us form. One of our Arizona Tax-Aide leaders will review your information and respond. If you would like to join our Tax-Aide team of volunteers, please click the Volunteer tab to start the process. We are seeking District and Site Leaders, Technology experts and Instructors as well as tax Counselors.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide continues to place the highest priority on the health and safety of both our volunteers and taxpayers. We ask that if you are not feeling well on the day of your appointment, please reschedule to protect yourself and our volunteers.
NOTE: Be sure to check instructions at this site for each tax year.
We look forward to helping even more next tax season.
Maricopa location for the tax preparation service this year is:
Maricopa Schools Admin. Bldg., 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy., Maricopa 85138
Hours: 9:30 a - 1:30 p, Tue, Thu & Fr
For an appointment, click her: Tax Aide Schedule | AARP Tax Aide - Maricopa AZ
Please note that there are six additional tax-assistance sites in Pinal County. For more information about additional sites please click here: Tax-Aide Appointments
The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns.
All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information. In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing.
Each filing season, tens of thousands of dedicated VITA/TCE volunteers prepare millions of federal and state returns. They also assist taxpayers with the preparation of thousands of Facilitated Self-Assistance returns.
The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
. People who generally make $60,000 or less
. Persons with disabilities; and
. Limited English-speaking taxpayers
In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.
This site is owned and managed by Ron Smith