Free tax assistance and preparation for low and moderate income individuals, with special attention to those age 60 and older, is available for taxpayers from AARP Tax-Aide. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer help with personal income tax returns at various locations around the state of North Carolina.

Free tax assistance will be available every Wednesday beginning Feb. 2 through April 18 at the Polk County Public Library in Columbus by appointment only.

The library is located at 1289 West Mills Street in Columbus. Call 828-894-8721, ext. 221, to make an appointment.

“I really enjoy volunteering for AARP Tax-Aide. The taxpayer is so appreciative of having this resource,” said Ron Peters, AARP Tax-Aide coordinator for Columbus. “Tax law can often be confusing. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers can make the process of filling out tax returns a whole lot easier.” Peters added that he has met many new people through volunteering.

Last year, around 950 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers in North Carolina helped more than 68,636 people file their federal, state and local tax returns. The program is offered at approximately 118 sites in North Carolina including senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations.

Other area locations include: Blue Ridge Mall, located at 1800 Four Seasons Boulevard in Hendersonville, N.C., Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (no appointment necessary); and Rutherford County Senior Center, located at 193 Callahan Koon Road in Spindale, N.C., every Friday (only by appointment).

AARP Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction with the IRS. The AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low-income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to rejoin the workforce. Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.