2027 Tax Return Information
The AARP Tax Aide Foundation offers FREE tax return preparation and counseling at the Carson City Senior Center.
- Our Team: Services are provided by trained, IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers.
- Eligibility: Available to seniors and all taxpayers with low-to-moderate income.
- Priority: Special attention is given to individuals 60 years of age and older.
- Parking & Check-In: Please Park in the EAST Parking Lot and check in at the desk near the Library.
- Cancellations: Call (775) 883-0703 to cancel or change your appointment.
Appointment Scheduling
Appointments are required and must be made in advance.
- Booking Window: Registration begins on Tuesday, January 19, 2027. Call the receptionist at 775-883-0703.
- Intake Packets: If you want to complete your intake document prior to your appointment, you can pick up an intake packet at the front receptionist desk at the senior center.
- Pre-Appointment Tip: You can accelerate your check-in by downloading the Fillable IRS Intake Booklet (Form 13614-C). Please print it out and bring the completed physical hardcopy to your session.
- Service Dates: Appointments are available from February 1, 2027, to April 12, 2027.
- Weekly Schedule: Days of operation are Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- Courtesy Policy: If you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please cancel or reschedule as far in advance as possible so another taxpayer can use the slot. Please don't be a no-show.
Return Preparation Process
- Single-Session Completion: Your tax return should be completed in a single session if you bring all required documents, including your banking information.
- Taxpayer Presence: The taxpayer is present with the tax counselor during the return preparation.
- Initial Interview: A screener will conduct your first interview to review your file.
- Return Completion: The taxpayer then meets with the counselor to complete the return.
- Quality Review: After preparation, a counselor will conduct a thorough quality review and walk through the completed return with you to answer questions.
- Signing & Copies: You will sign Form 8879, which states your agreement that the return has been accurately prepared and is correct based on the information you provided. Your signature also gives authorization to file your return electronically. You will receive a physical, printed copy of your return for your files.
- Filing: All returns are securely transmitted and filed electronically at the end of the day.
Required Documents to Bring
Volunteers cannot prepare your return without all documents. If items are missing, you will be required to reschedule. All tax documents must be physical hardcopies—digital copies on a phone or tablet are strictly not accepted.
- Identification: Valid government-issued photo ID for the taxpayer (and spouse if filing jointly).
- Social Security: Social Security cards for every person listed on the return (taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents).
- Income & Benefits: All tax documents showing income received, including Form 1099-SA if you receive Social Security (note: Social Security is taxable).
- Tax Records: Your previous year's tax return, plus all data supporting itemized deductions or specific credits.
- Banking Details: Bank account information (routing and account numbers) for your refund or payment. The IRS does not issue paper checks—your choices are limited to direct deposit or a Visa debit card.
- Health Insurance: If any household member bought health insurance via Nevada Health Link or the Federal Marketplace, you must bring Form 1095-A.
- Calendar: Please bring a calendar in the rare event that a follow-up appointment is necessary.
Scope of Tax Return Preparation
Tax-Aide volunteers are protected under the Volunteer Protection Act and must strictly limit preparation to IRS form numbers and topics for which they are certified. Taxpayers with complex returns outside this scope will be advised to seek paid tax assistance.
Returns We CAN Prepare
- Form 1040 with standard accompanying schedules.
- California State Returns (Full-year residency required).
- Income Forms: W-2 (wages/Medicaid waivers), 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-INT (interest), 1099-G (unemployment/state tax refunds), 1099-R (pensions/IRAs/annuities), SSA-1099/RRB-1099 (Social Security/Railroad retirement).
- Self-Employment & Gig Work: 1099-NEC & 1099-K (PayPal, Venmo, etc.).
- Schedule C (Business Income): Allowed only if there are no employees, no net losses, expenses are under $35,000, and there is no depreciation, business-use-of-home, or 1099 filing requirement.
- Schedules A & B: Itemized deductions and interest/dividends.
- Schedule D: Capital gains and losses (excludes futures/options).
- Schedule E: Rent and royalty income with zero expenses or depreciation.
- Schedule K-1: Restricted to interest, dividends, capital gains/losses, and royalty income only.
- Credits & Deductions: Schedule EIC (Earned Income), Form 2441 (Child/Dependent Care), Form 8812 (Child Tax Credits), Form 8863 (Education Credits), Form 8880 (Saver's Credit), and the Qualified Business Income Deduction.
- Special Cases: 1099-C (Cancellation of credit card debt only), 1099-SA (HSA), 1095-A/B/C (ACA/Premium Tax Credits), 1040-ES (Estimated Payments), Form 5329, Form 1040X (Amended returns for prior years only).
- Prior Years: Returns for prior tax years (2023 to 2025).
Returns We CANNOT Prepare
- MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY STATUS
- Residency: Partial-year Nevada residency returns.
- Out-of-State Income: Out-of-state income from states other than California.
- Cryptocurrency: Form 1099-DA or any transactions involving crypto investments.
- Business/Rental Losses: Schedule C with a net loss, or Schedule E rental properties with expenses/depreciation.
- Farming: Schedule F income.
- Specific IRS Forms: Form 3903 (Moving expenses), Form 8606 (Nondeductible IRAs), Form 8615 (Kiddie tax), Form 8834 (Electric vehicle credit), Form 8889 (HSA accounts).
- Complex K-1s: Any Schedule K-1 that involves business income, depreciation, or expenses.