Free Tax-Prep Service Now Available in Several Counties

POUGHKEEPSIE – If you are one of the many Hudson Valley residents who need help with your tax return, FREE tax preparation once again is available from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide’s IRS trained and certified volunteers through the Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition. Last year, 4,218 residents of Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam Counties received help preparing and filing their taxes. This year with volunteers both tenured and new, they hope to assist close to 8,000 individuals, seniors and families filer their tax returns.

To receive help, it’s as easy as picking up the phone and dialing 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment through United Way’s Hudson Valley Region 2-1-1 Helpline (or by dialing 1-800-899-1479) from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. A call specialist will review eligibility, make an appointment, provide directions to the appropriate tax site. This free tax preparation service is provided to all those who are eligible thanks to AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition members, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region, Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County and many other community partners.

“Last year, $5.4 million was returned in the form of tax credits and refunds to people who need it most in our community,” noted Jeannie Montano, President and CEO of United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region. “Part of the mission of United Way is fighting for the financial stability of every person in our community. We hope that individuals, families, and seniors will take advantage of this free help and call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment.”

“We know that people in our community are working diligently, but finding it hard to survive,” Jeannie Montano explained. “Many of these are the people identified in United Way of New York’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report. They’re our friends. They’re the people who greet us with a smile and help us every day at restaurants, day care centers, dental clinics, and offices. The refunds and EITC that they receive thanks to the AARP Tax-Aide volunteer tax-preparers truly make the difference in their very day-to-day survival, and help pay rent, medical bills, buy food and fulfill other basic needs. We proudly support the Hudson Valley CA$H Coalition and its partner organizations with grants from the United Way Community. This program is a great example of how we can all come together to help Mid-Hudson Valley residents gain financial stability, a cornerstone of our mission.”

The over 30 tax preparation locations are conveniently located throughout Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam Counties and will be staffed by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, six days-a-week, including evenings and weekends from February 1st through April 14, 2023.

Assistance will be available for the hearing-impaired. The tax service is open to area residents of all ages who meet eligibility guidelines. AARP membership is not required.
In Dutchess County, there are 14 free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites located in: Beacon, Dover Plains, Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, Hyde Park, and Wappinger Falls.

In Orange County, there are 15 free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites located in: Chester, Cornwall, Goshen, Greenwood Lake, Middletown, Monroe, Montgomery, Newburgh, New Windsor, Pine Bush, Port Jervis, Walden, Warwick, and Washingtonville. In Putnam County the Tax-Aide volunteers provide assistance from two locations.