AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Sites in District 20, Thurston County are now open for the 2026 Tax Season. We can prepare and e-file your 2025 Federal Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return. We can also help eligible taxpayers apply for the Washington Working Families Tax Credit. Our volunteer tax counselors can also prepare and e-file prior year and amended year returns for most taxpayers. 

We can assist taxpayers of all ages and income. You do not have to be low-income, elderly, or a member of AARP to get help. There are however, some limits on the types of returns we can prepare. While our IRS-certified tax counselors are trained to help you file a variety of tax forms and schedules, the Volunteer Protection Act requires that they stay within the scope of tax law and policies set by the IRS and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Further information about when we can and cannot prepare a return can be found on our How We Can Help You Today poster and by visiting our Learn More page. Please understand that whether we can help you is not always readily apparent. In some cases, our counselors will have to interview you and review your tax documents before they can determine whether they can prepare your return or it is considered “out-of-scope.”

In most cases, your return will be prepared in one visit from start to finish unless you are missing important documents we need to prepare your return.

The Location of Our Tax-Aide Sites

Our volunteer counselors are available by appointment at six (6) locations in Thurston County, Washington. The location, days and hours we are open at each site can be found on Our Locations page.

How do I schedule an appointment? We will begin scheduling appointments on January 15, 2026 for appointments starting early February. There are three ways to make an appointment: 

1. Call our appointment line at 360-347-6276and leave a message.

2. Make your own appointment online by visiting this page. 

3. Walk into one of our sites during open hours. We will accept Walk-ins if an appointment slot is available and at least one hour remains before closing, or we will schedule an appointment for you at a later date.

If you leave a message on our appointment line, one of our volunteers will call you back within 3 business days. Your caller ID will show (617) 675-4444 when we call. Please add this number to your phone contacts under Tax-Aide.

What are the health and safety guidelines? At the present time, all COVID restrictions have been lifted. Masks and vaccinations are recommended but not required. However, if you are experiencing any cold, flu or COVID symptoms, please cancel and reschedule your appointment by calling our appointment line at 360-347-6276. If you scheduled your appointment online, you can cancel or reschedule it yourself online. 

How should I prepare for my appointment? Please fill out an Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet before arriving for your appointment. You need to schedule a separate appointment and intake sheet for each return that you want us to prepare. If you want us to prepare a prior year return, you will have to pick up or download a specific form for that year.

Taxpayer Worksheets

Taxpayers who are self- employed, who wish to itemize their deductions, claim an Education Credit, who provided personal care services to a DSHS client, or who had gambling winnings should also pick up and complete the appropriate worksheet. This year, taxpayers wanting to take advantage of the three new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and interest on a new car purchased in 2025 must also complete relevant worksheets.

We Cannot Prepare Your Return Without All Your Tax Documents

Most importantly, you must also locate, organize, and bring to your appointment all the documents we need to prepare your return. You will find a list of all the documents we need to prepare your return included with your Pre-Appointment Packet. You should not schedule an appointment to have your tax return prepared until you have all your tax documents or at a minimum schedule the appointment on a date by which you expect to have the in hand. Please bring in all the documents we need to prepare your tax return, or we will have to reschedule your appointment.

Where can I get a Pre-Appointment Packet? You can pick up a Pre-Appointment Packet and any necessary worksheets at one of our Tax-Aide sites during open hours or download them from our website by going here. Please download this document before printing it, as it has hyperlinks you can use to access specific forms you may need. Many of these forms are fillable PDFs and can be completed online and then printed. Of course, you can also simply print them and fill them out manually. If you cannot download or print our packet, remember you can pick up a copy at one of our Tax-Aide sites. 

Very Important – Remember to bring your government-issued photo ID for you (and your spouse if Married Filing Jointly) and a Social Security card, ITIN card, or SSA-1099 for everyone listed on the tax return. 

What time should I arrive for my appointment? Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your appointment. To reduce crowds in our waiting area, taxpayers will not be allowed to wait on site if they arrive too early. However, you may arrive earlier if you need help completing the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet or one of our worksheets.