May, 9, 2008
BUSINESS NOTEBOOK
Tax volunteers file 2,380 returns
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THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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The AARP-Tax-Aide Program in Whatcom County concluded another busy tax preparation season on April 15.
AARP-Tax-Aide is a joint venture of AARP and the Internal Revenue Service that provides free tax preparation. Twenty-two local volunteers put in more than 2,000 hours completing tax returns for a wide variety of clients including families, single parents, students, homeless people and senior citizens. The volunteers completed 2,380 returns at seven sites throughout the county, resulting in over $1 million in refunds. More than 1,150 of these returns were completed at the Bellingham Public Library, resulting in $837,000 in refunds.
This year’s workload was increased by almost 700 returns completed for people who otherwise would not file, but were required to in order to receive their economic stimulus payment. In addition to preparing these returns at the regular sites, Tax-Aide volunteers held special sessions at three Housing Authority buildings in Bellingham as well as the Lummi retirement home, filing over 100 returns.
Community members who would like to explore volunteering for this program in 2009 can contact Lyn McClure at (360) 318-1210.
