By David Murchland - Marshfield Now!
The AARP Tax-Aide program in Marshfield completed 664 tax returns during the most recent filing season, continuing a long-running volunteer effort that provides free tax preparation assistance to area residents.
Ed Korlesky, local coordinator for the program, presented the annual report during Wednesday’s meeting of the Marshfield Parks, Recreation and Forestry Committee.
Korlesky said the Marshfield site ranked fourth in Wisconsin this year for the number of returns completed, with volunteers preparing 664 electronically filed returns compared to 651 the previous year.
“We do very much appreciate Parks and Rec providing us with space for the program,” Korlesky told the committee.
The free service is available to anyone regardless of age or AARP membership status, though volunteers are limited to preparing less complicated tax returns under Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
Korlesky said the volunteer staff undergoes extensive training and certification each year before assisting taxpayers. Volunteers attend IRS-led instruction sessions, complete multiple exams and review every tax return with a second volunteer for accuracy.
The Marshfield site operated with eight volunteers this season, despite losing two longtime participants to retirement.
According to statistics shared during the meeting, about 10% of taxpayers served by the program reported no taxable income, while 27% had less than $10,000 in taxable income.
“It’s amazing how some of these people can survive on as little amount of income as they have,” Korlesky said.
The average federal refund for taxpayers using the service was $1,693, while the average state refund totaled $725, according to the report.
The program begins each February and operates out of Marshfield’s community facilities, including outreach visits to Cedar Rail and Parkview for residents with mobility challenges.
City officials thanked the volunteers for providing a service that helps residents avoid increasingly expensive tax preparation costs.