CRESTVIEW — Terell Burgess appreciates getting AARP volunteers' free tax filing advice at the Crestview Public Library.
"It is very beneficial coming to the library, rather than going to somewhere else and spending $50 and $100," he said. "I highly recommend this to other people."
Volunteers will assist low- to moderate-income residents four days a week through April 15.
Many residents from North Okaloosa and parts of southern Alabama have traveled to Crestview just to get their taxes ready for the IRS, second-year volunteer Irene Maier said.
Volunteers say a growing number of area residents seek assistance.
'"It has increased over the years," 11-year volunteer Louise Eastridge said.
Each volunteer receives a week of training, either in person or online, and must pass an Internal Revenue Service test, certifying them as tax preparation counselors.
Depending on the number of people who sign in and the complexity of their tax returns, Eastridge said volunteers try to see as many people as they can between each period.
But their help is in limited supply.
"We have to cut it off at some point," she said.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: AARP Tax Aide Preparation
WHEN: 2-5 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive
COST: Free
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: AARP volunteers offer free tax preparation