AARP Offers Free Tax Help at Aiken Library For Seniors and Low Income Residents
Aiken County Public Library will offer free tax preparation through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. The service will run until mid-April 2025. “We’re glad to be doing this. All of us feel like it’s a way of giving back to the community and providing a service for people that don’t have anywhere else to go,” said Kerry Lawson, coordinator of the Aiken site.
The tax help is mainly for adults over 50 and people with low to moderate incomes. Trained volunteers run the program Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extra Thursday hours beginning at 10:30 a.m. Walk-ins aren’t accepted — you’ll need to make an appointment.
Plan to spend around 75 minutes at your appointment. A double-check system means two trained volunteers review each return, helping get the best refunds while catching mistakes. Last year, the program helped 133 local residents.
You’ll need to bring key documents: valid photo ID, Social Security cards, last year’s tax forms, and banking information for direct deposit.
This service helps fill an important need in the community. Regular tax preparation companies often charge over $300.
The library is located at 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. in Aiken. The library has info packets available — you can pick one up before scheduling your appointment. You can call the local number at 803-761-7117 or the national line at 888-227-7669.
