Somerset County Volunteers To Offer Free Tax-Aide Program Starting February 1 Last Year, the Program Helped Residents Receive $2.1 Million in Tax Refunds

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County’s Volunteer Services and AARP have teamed up again to offer the Tax-Aide program to help residents prepare their taxes for 2023. The free, no-fuss, tax-counseling service is available to all county residents but is specifically aimed at helping older adults, residents with disabilities, and lower-income residents who need help preparing federal and New Jersey income tax returns. Qualified tax counselors will review and prepare tax documents and then file the documents electronically so taxpayers can receive a more rapid refund, if eligible.

Volunteers also can assist with preparing Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) forms for homeowners ages 65 years or older who meet the eligibility requirements.

“The truth is income tax forms can be confusing for anyone, and a little help from these trusted professionals can not only ease the tax preparation process but help residents save money,” said Commissioner Paul M. Drake, liaison to Volunteer Services. “Last year, 1,720 people requested tax- prep appointments and they received a total of $2.1 million in tax refunds.”

Tax-Aide counselors receive rigorous annual training and are tested and certified by the Internal Revenue Service to ensure they are up to date on current tax laws for both the federal and state government tax forms. In addition, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office conducts background checks on all tax preparation volunteers.

This year, there will be approximately 57 volunteers providing direct support to residents at six sites in Somerset County, including Montgomery, North Branch, Manville, Bridgewater, Franklin, and Green Brook.

Appointment Guidelines
Residents must schedule an appointment to receive tax assistance. Appointments are available through April 15. Residents must bring the following items to their appointment:

• 2023 W-2 forms
• Bank, broker, and social security statements from the 2023 tax year
• Total medical expenses and all other deductible expenses from 2023
• Copy of 2022 tax returns
• Property tax statements from the township to include taxes paid in 2023
• Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) forms for homeowners ages 65 years or older who meet eligibility requirements must bring the following items:
  • The blue booklet received in the mail and the previous year’s tax return
  • Documentation for property taxes paid and other deductible expenses

To make an appointment, call the Somerset County Office of Volunteer Services at 908-541-5710 beginning on Feb.1. Appointments will be made until the end of the tax season or until all appointments are filled.

About the Somerset County Volunteer Services

Volunteer Services recruit people of all ages to volunteer for various county departments and/or non-profit programs. Volunteer Services oversees the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Handyman Project, the Tax Filing Assistance Program, SHIP Medicare Counseling, the Tutoring Program, Fall Clean-Up Program.

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