CLAY COUNTY – Not long ago, when tax season rolled around, citizens could go to the library or post office and get the tax forms and the books with instructions on how to file. They could also locate information on the tax codes. Now it’s the digital age.

The IRS cut costs by ceasing to print out the books and the forms and offers everything online. For some older citizens who are less technologically inclined, that creates issues.

Clay County seniors in the moderate-to-low income bracket now have less to worry about on that front. Tax-Aide is here to help.

“Tax-Aide is a program that’s been in existence for 50 years,” said Arvid Nelson, Tax-Aide District Communications Coordinator. “It is the largest free tax assistance program in the country. Our target group is t the low to moderate-income and the elderly.” While Tax Aide’s target demographic is age 50 and older, they don’t ask the age of their clients.

Nelson believes that without a service like Tax-Aide to help them, many seniors would have difficulty processing and filing their income tax returns independently. The last tax season demonstrated that, as COVID-19 forced offices to close in the interest of public health and safety.

The most significant issue, according to Nelson, is the complexity of the tax code.

“The IRS has cut back on physical copies of things, and went to digital forms and digital publications,” said Nelson. “And gaining access to those is a problem for seniors. It’s [the issues] are two-faced: one, the complexity of the tax code, and then being able to access digitally, forms, and publications.”

He also finds that many seniors, even they do attempt to complete their taxes, have some trepidation about trying to get all of the credits or benefits to which they may be entitled for fear that they may do something illegal. Tax-Aide helps them to get everything they may deserve without worry.

Nelson wants to ensure that anyone Tax-Aide assists is confident that the organization is able and prepared to take care of their clients.

“I would like people to know that our volunteers are trained,” he said. “They are provided source material, continuing support through the tax season. We are IRS certified every year. We are kept up to date on any changes to the tax code.”

Every tax return is quality reviewed by a second counselor and then explained to the taxpayer in detail to ensure complete understanding. A hard copy is given to the client, and the return is electronically filed.

Tax-Aide provides all of this assistance to their clients for free.

For more information, visit aarp.org.