County tax program seeking new volunteers
– San Luis Obispo County AARP Tax-Aide has launched a volunteer recruitment campaign for the 2026 tax season in response to continued demand for its free tax preparation and electronic filing services for seniors and low to moderate-income taxpayers.
The program is seeking volunteers for tax return preparer positions at South County locations in Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach. All tax return preparer volunteers will receive training and certification from the Internal Revenue Service.
According to the program, volunteers should be reasonably skilled using a computer, have previously used tax preparation or other software, enjoy working in a collaborative team environment, and be interested in “paying it forward.”
The program also needs volunteers to support its virtual call center, which books appointments for taxpayers. Call center volunteers work from home using software and voicemail.
Information on becoming a volunteer is available at www.ccfreetax.org.
AARP Tax-Aide has provided tax preparation service to Central Coast residents for more than 30 years. Approximately 75 local AARP tax counselors and other volunteers are trained and certified each year and provide services at nine preparation sites across the county.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide began in 1968 with four volunteers and has grown into the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation service. By using these services, seniors and low to moderate-income taxpayers avoid preparation and electronic filing fees. In prior years, the San Luis Obispo County program prepared about 3,600 tax returns, resulting in more than $3,000,000 in refunds returned to the local economy.
