AARP Foundation offering free tax preparation in SLO County
Services cover tax year 2025 and run from February through early April
– AARP Foundation Tax-Aide of San Luis Obispo County announced the start of free tax preparation services for the 2026 tax season, covering tax year 2025 returns.
The free services are funded through the AARP Foundation and are available to all seniors and low- to moderate-income residents, not only members of the organization. There is no age limit to use the service. Tax return preparation services will be offered from Feb. 2 through early April.
Taxpayers can schedule appointments using an online self-booking system. Beginning Jan. 19, appointments can be booked online at ccfreetax.org. Taxpayers without access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone can call the appointment line at (805) 931-6308 beginning Jan. 26. Use of the online appointment system is encouraged.
The tax preparation program operates nine locations in San Luis Obispo County, including Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo. Addresses and hours of operation for each site are available at ccfreetax.org. All locations operate by appointment only.
The local program has provided tax preparation services to Central Coast residents for more than 30 years. Volunteer counselors are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service each year.
The tax preparation service began in 1968 with four volunteers and has since grown into the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation program. By using the service, seniors and low- to moderate-income taxpayers avoid tax preparation and electronic filing fees. The program is offered in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. During the previous tax season, the local program prepared approximately 3,500 tax returns, resulting in more than $3 million in refunds returned to the local economy.
