Houston Republic

Residents in West Houston and Katy have new resources to get help filing their taxes this year, because the AARP Tax-Aide program has nine sites in those areas and will offer services through April 15, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

According to the Chronicle, Tax-Aide will offer services in five different locations: at Jungman between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays; at Mendenhall, volunteers will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursdays; at Hillendahl, Tax-Aide volunteers will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and 12:30 to 4:30  p.m. on Thursdays. Services will also be available at St. Basil between noon and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and AARP Tax-Aide programs are certified volunteers who are authorized to prepare basic tax returns within the state, but another organization, 60 Plus Association, warns that some volunteers have raised concerns about privacy concerns related to how individuals’ data is handled and used.

According to the 60 Plus Association, former AARP Tax-Aide volunteers have told the association that AARP’s new policies could require participants to hand over data to the AARP without any protection over how it is used or who uses the information after disclosure. 

“There are some very serious red flags regarding the AARP’s tax program, and America’s seniors should be extremely cautious when considering whether or not to participate,” said American Association of Senior Citizens Founder and Chairman James Martin. “Volunteers within the program itself have raised significant data and privacy concerns and seniors should be aware of these issues as they make decisions regarding their tax filings.”