SIERRA VISTA — In Cochise and Santa Cruz counties, free tax services are provided by AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

The AARP Foundation administrated the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program at sites located in Benson, Elfrida, Douglas, Nogales, Rio Rico and Sierra Vista. These sites compose Tax Counseling for the Elderly Arizona District Nine.

The program is also known as the AARP Tax Aide. It is the largest free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service in the country.

You do not have to be an AARP member or a retiree to volunteer with the program. Neither are you required to be an AARP member or a senior.

Last year TCE completed its 2 millionth tax return since the program was authorized by U. S. Congress.

Last year at more than 100 sites AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers helped Arizonans to file more than 38,000 returns, of which 95 percent were E-Filed.

Each year both TCE and VITA have requirement for new volunteers.

Volunteers receive free training and become IRS certified by passing an exam.

Then, they help low and middle income tax payers file their taxes at TCE or VITA sites.

Volunteers are also needed for Leadership positions.

Lead volunteers help coordinate the program at sites or manage specific program activities such as technology, training, administration or communication.

Tax training and certification is encouraged, however, it is not required for all positions.

For information about becoming an AARP Tax-Aide Volunteer, call toll-free 1-888-OUR AARP, 1-888-2277 or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide. In Cochise County you may call Irene Wetzel at 803-0467 or Sue Tingle at 378-0245. In the Nogales and Rio Rico Area, call (520) 761-8052.

The AARP Foundation is an affiliated 501 © (3) nonpartisan charitable organization. Volunteers do not accept any donations for the  preparation of taxes.  However, computers with MS 2000 or XP operation systems can be donated. If you are interested, contact Calvin A. Brower at 459-1875.

The VSA sites are located in Benson, Douglas and Nogales. The program, administrated by the Southern Arizona Catholic Community Services, is designed to provide young payers with earned income assistance in tax preparation.

Those who wish to volunteer for the VITA program may call Gus Cross at 586-3460 and Douglas  Catholic Community Services at 364-6789.