New Volunteer Information Session

Tax Year 2025

Agenda

• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program Overview
• Why volunteer?
• Volunteer roles
• What skills do I need?
• How much time will I need to commit?
• What training and resources will be provided?
• What do I need to do to certify?

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AARP Organization

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AARP

AARP Services, Inc.

AARP Foundation

Tax-Aide Program

About AARP

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AARP

Is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50+ to choose how they live as they age. AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.

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AARP Foundation- AARP’s Non-profit affiliate

Works to end senior poverty by helping vulnerable older adults build economic opportunity and social connectedness. We serve AARP members and nonmembers alike. Bolstered by vigorous legal advocacy, we spark bold, innovative solutions that foster resilience, strengthen communities and restore hope.

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AARP Services, Inc. (ASI)

Oversees and manages the relationships with companies that provide AARP member benefits.

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AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program

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• 57^th year
• Nation’s largest, free volunteer tax program
• 1.7 million people served and $1.3 billion of refunds
• 28,000 IRS certified Volunteers

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Why Volunteer?

• It’s fun!
• Keeps you mentally fit
• Keeps you involved
• Team-work and support from other volunteers

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• You can prepare your own Federal and State returns, friends and family, and e-file for free

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Why Volunteer?

Help Taxpayers in your own community

• Provide Oregonians with a free service that assures reliable and accurate tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers
• Put money back in the hands of low-income taxpayers and into cash registers of local businesses
• Save Oregonians hundreds of dollars on tax preparation and ensure they receive their tax refunds

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Real Impact Oregon Tax Year 2025

(Filed in 2025)

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Volunteer Roles

• Client Facilitators welcome taxpayers, help organize their paperwork and manage the overall flow of service.
• Tax Counselors interview clients, prepare federal and Oregon tax returns and answer tax questions.
• Technology Coordinators manage computer equipment, ensure taxpayer data is secure, and provide technical assistance to volunteers at different local sites.
• Leadership and Administrative volunteers make sure program operations run smoothly, manage volunteers, help with training, track volunteer assignments and site activities, and maintain quality control.
• Translators provide language support and can be in any volunteer role, including that of dedicated interpreters who can assist other volunteers and Taxpayers.
• Communications Coordinators promote the program to prospective volunteers and taxpayers

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What skills do I need to be a tax counselor?

• Computer skills are required
• Ability to learn tax law, a variety of software tools, and utilize online references
• Tax software and knowledge are taught, and practiced
• Training, training materials and online resources are provided free
• An Instructor/ experienced Counselor/ mentor is always just a �step, email, text or phone call away.
• Strong communication skills
• Collaboration skills

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Time Requirements

First time Tax Counselors will need a minimum 40 hours of training and self study.

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First time Client Facilitators and Interpreters need a minimum of 10 hours of training and self study

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Volunteer a minimum of 4 hours/week during tax season from Feb. 1 – April 15^th

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You are supported

• Equipment, Software and training are provided free
• Every return is quality reviewed
• You are protected by the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 as long as you:
• Stay within the scope of the program
• Prepare only returns you have been trained to prepare
• Follow Tax-Aide Policies and Procedures
• Do not knowingly prepare fraudulent returns
• You are not alone: Tax preparation is a team sport!

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Websites:

Study Pub 4961 & Pass IRS Standards of Conduct Test

30 min. - 2 hours

Complete Core Tax Preparation Course

~30-40 hours

Pass IRS Advanced Certification Exam

3-4 hours

Final District-Specific Training

2-4 hours

Oregon VITA and Tax-Aide

Website:

ORTaxvolunteers.org

IRS Link & Learn Home:

https://linklearncertification.com/

Study Pub 5101 & Pass Intake/Interview and Quality Review Test

30 min. - 2 hours

AARP Tax-Aide

Volunteer

Portal:

http://volunteers.aarp.org/

AARP Tax-Aide

Learning Management System

1-2 hours

Tax-Aide

Practice Returns

2-5 hours

Moodle Training Course: https://learn.mfs-cashoregon.org/

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AARP Tax-Aide �Certification

Core Tax Preparation Certification Training

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IRS Certification Steps

Core Tax Preparation Certification Training

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Core Tax Preparation Certification Training

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• Standard of Conducts Test
• 10 questions
• IRS Pub 4961

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• Intake/Interview and Quality Review Test
• 10 questions
• IRS Pub 5101

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• Advanced Test
• Practice lab, other online resources, 35 questions
• IRS Pub 4012, case problems,

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• 80% or higher score 
• Two attempts 
• Open book. Open notes
• Take at your pace

• Client Fac.
• Interpreter

Tax

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Preparer

IRS Tests Required for Certification

• Learning Management System (LMS)
• Technology and Security
• Policy and Procedures
• Service Delivery Model (*if applicable for assignment)

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• Practice Problems
• Focus on tax law changes
• Focus on Oregon tax law
• Not a test, good practice!

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• Client Fac.
• Interpreter

Tax

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Preparer

AARP Certification Requirements

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Register to Volunteer with Tax-Aide

If you haven’t had a chance to register with the Tax-Aide Program:�

http://www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaidevolunteer

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Questions and Feedback

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Contact us:

Ann G.

TaxAideOR1PVS@gmail.com

971-205-4525