Welcome to Tax-Aide Southbay
AARP Tax-Aide Southbay provides FREE federal and state income tax preparation services to South Bay residents. The program is tailored for people 50 and older and those who have low to moderate incomes. However, Tax-Aide services are available to anyone free of charge.
News for Tax Year 2024
We are pleased to announce that your competent, friendly Tax-Aide Southbay volunteers will be offering expanded service to our customers during the 2025 tax filing season - February 1 through April 15, 2025. We are opening an additional site in San Pedro, and offering additional days of tax preparation in Torrance. You'll see familiar faces and receive the same top-notch service that you are used to, but there will be more of it!
This year's sites and days of service are:
It is recommended that you make an appointment at all sites except Torrance. See more on that below.
See the Our Sites page for the location, operating hours, and appointment information for each of our sites.
This year's sites and days of service are:
- El Segundo - Tuesdays
- Manhattan Beach - Wednesdays
- Rancho Palos Verdes - Fridays
- San Pedro - Mondays, except March 31
- Torrance - Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
- Willowbrook - Fridays
It is recommended that you make an appointment at all sites except Torrance. See more on that below.
See the Our Sites page for the location, operating hours, and appointment information for each of our sites.
Return Preparation
At all sites, your tax return will be completed in a single session. When you come to a site, a counselor will conduct an interview with you, then prepare your return while you wait. After the return is prepared, another counselor will conduct a quality review, during which the return will be reviewed with you; you will be able to have your questions answered; you will sign the necessary documents (Form 8879) authorizing us to file your return; and you will receive a printed copy of the return. The return will be filed electronically at the end of the day.
Appointments
You may make an appointment to have your tax return prepared at our sites in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, and Willowbrook. These sites RECOMMEND that you make an appointment, but walk-ins are also welcome. Walk-ins will be served as time permits.
Our site in Torrance will operate on a walk-in basis. Come at your convenience.
If you find that you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please cancel or reschedule it as far in advance as possible, in order to make it available to other taxpayers. PLEASE DON'T BE A NO SHOW!!
Detailed instructions for appointment functions are available by clicking the links below:
- Click here to make a Monday appointment at the San Pedro site
- Click here to make a Tuesday appointment at the El Segundo site
- Click here to make a Wednesday appointment at the Manhattan Beach site
- Click here to make a Friday appointment at the Rancho Palos Verdes site
- Call the Willowbrook Center Staff at 323-449-5427 to make a Friday appointment at the Willowbrook site
Our site in Torrance will operate on a walk-in basis. Come at your convenience.
If you find that you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please cancel or reschedule it as far in advance as possible, in order to make it available to other taxpayers. PLEASE DON'T BE A NO SHOW!!
Detailed instructions for appointment functions are available by clicking the links below:
Documents to Bring to Your Tax Return Preparation Session
It is imperative that you bring all of your tax documents to your tax return preparation session. These include:
Click here to access a detailed checklist of documents that you should bring to your tax preparation session.
As you assemble your documents, compare them to this list to verify that you have all that were sent to you.
Prior to having your return prepared, you will be asked to complete the Intake/Interview form, Form 13614C, which provides the necessary information to assure an accurate return. This year's form is new! You can save time by completing this form in advance and bringing with you. The form can be accessed by clicking here. It is a fillable PDF form, so it can be completed electronically and printed, or printed and completed by hand.
If you think you will itemize deductions, have self-employment income and expenses, or qualify for education credits, worksheets are available to capture the necessary information so that your return can be prepared more quickly and accurately. The worksheets are accessible from the following links:
- Photo ID for taxpayer (and spouse if filing jointly)
- Social security cards for all persons included on the return (taxpayer, spouse, and dependents)
- All documents showing income received in 2024
- Your previous year's tax return
- Bank account information (routing number and account number) if you want direct deposit/debit of your refund/payment
Click here to access a detailed checklist of documents that you should bring to your tax preparation session.
As you assemble your documents, compare them to this list to verify that you have all that were sent to you.
Prior to having your return prepared, you will be asked to complete the Intake/Interview form, Form 13614C, which provides the necessary information to assure an accurate return. This year's form is new! You can save time by completing this form in advance and bringing with you. The form can be accessed by clicking here. It is a fillable PDF form, so it can be completed electronically and printed, or printed and completed by hand.
If you think you will itemize deductions, have self-employment income and expenses, or qualify for education credits, worksheets are available to capture the necessary information so that your return can be prepared more quickly and accurately. The worksheets are accessible from the following links:
Making Things Easier
Here are some insights, reminders, and tips that should make for a more efficient, more pleasant tax preparation process for all participants.
- Be sure to bring all necessary identification and tax documents with you. Click here to access a checklist of documents to bring. Coming to the site missing any forms will delay the preparation of your return
- You can save time by completing the Intake Interview form in advance and bringing it with you. This year's form is new; it can be accessed by clicking here. It is a fillable PDF form, so it can be completed electronically and printed, or printed and completed by hand
- Please remove your tax forms from their envelopes
- Please bring your prior year's tax return, if you have it. This helps us prepare a more accurate return
- If you itemize deductions, please total all costs by categories. This saves the preparer time. Click here for a worksheet for itemized deductions
- If you are self-employed and have associated expenses, we must file Schedule C for you. Click here for a worksheet to detail those expenses
- If you have educational expenses for yourself or a dependent, you may qualify for a tax credit. Click here for a worksheet to detail those expenses
- If you made an appointment to have your return prepared, please be on time. If you must cancel or reschedule an appointment, please do so as far in advance as possible in order to make it available to other taxpayers