Tax season. Two little words that can send a shiver down anyone’s spine, let alone older adults navigating a maze of forms, deductions, and deadlines. For our aging population, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about questions like, What do I do with this 1099? Can I deduct my medical expenses? Who can I trust to help me?

But here’s the good news: Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are prepared, patient, and ready to guide older adults through the tax season stress. With outreach programs and a knack for simplifying the complicated, AAAs are quietly making tax time feel a little less lonely, a little more manageable, and—dare I say it—a little hopeful.

Partnering with Volunteer Tax Assistance Programs

Many AAAs collaborate with programs like the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). These federal programs provide free tax help to older adults, particularly those with lower incomes or who are unfamiliar with the tax filing process.

The AARP Foundation’s TaxAide program is another vitally important program AAAs can take advantage of. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped over 80 million taxpayers receive all the credits and deductions they're entitled to.

Through this program AAAs can work with AARP to get their constituents access to IRS-certified volunteers so they understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. Take for example the Chenango County Area Agency On Aging who are hosting completely free sessions for their elder community members to come and meet with the AARP volunteer tax preparers.

Tax Preparation Sessions and Events

AAAs enhance the impact of these programs by acting as a bridge between these resources and the local aging population.

These sessions are often hosted at community centers, senior centers, and AAA facilities, ensuring accessibility for older adults in familiar and trusted locations. In addition to in-person options, many AAAs also offer virtual sessions, providing flexibility for those who are homebound or prefer remote assistance.

AAAs actively promote these tax preparation services through newsletters, websites, and social media platforms, using these channels to reach as many older adults as possible.

By employing multilingual support, AAAs address language barriers, ensuring that tax assistance is accessible to older adults from diverse backgrounds.

Through these comprehensive efforts, AAAs not only help older adults file their taxes accurately but also provide education on available credits and deductions that could significantly improve their financial well-being.

Impact of AAA Tax Outreach Programs

These efforts have a measurable impact, as they help thousands of older adults annually:

• Ensure accurate and timely tax filing, avoiding penalties.

• Maximize refunds and benefits by identifying eligible credits and deductions.

• Alleviate stress and confusion about the tax process.

• Protect against scams targeting the aging population during tax season.

Through their proactive outreach and partnerships, AAAs continue to play a critical role in empowering older adults to navigate tax season confidently and effectively. Would you like me to tailor this information for a specific audience or focus on a particular aspect?

How Blooming Health Supports AAAs with Tax Prep Programs

AAAs like Broome County Office for Aging use Blooming Health to streamline communications which leads to increased engagement. Broome County was able to double event participation by leveraging the Blooming One platform.

Blooming Health's features—such as automated reminders, multilingual communication in over 80 languages, and personalized messaging—ensure that older adults are informed about available tax services and key deadlines.

With Blooming Health, AAAs can maximize their limited resources, efficiently coordinate volunteers and tax prep events, and maintain consistent engagement with their communities. The platform's two-way communication channels and data-driven insights enable AAAs to identify unmet needs, track program participation, and ensure no one is left behind.

By partnering with Blooming Health, AAAs can elevate their tax preparation initiatives, fostering trust, increasing participation, and empowering older adults to take charge of their financial well-being. 

Speak with our team today to learn more.