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Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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Trump signs new executive order to change election rules; NC student loan borrowers could be left behind in Ed Dept. dismantling; Getting a read on SD's incarceration woes and improving re-entry; Nebraska LGBTQ+ group builds community with 'friend raiser.'

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'Textgate' draws congressional scrutiny. Trump policies on campus protests and federal workforce cuts are prompting lawsuits as their impacts on economic stability and weather data become clearer.

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Rural folks face significant clean air and water risks due to EPA cutbacks, a group of policymakers is working to expand rural healthcare via mobile clinics and a new study maps Montana's news landscape.

Tax filing fears? Free assistance available in ID

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Thursday, February 1, 2024   

People feeling stressed out about tax season have an option for free assistance in Idaho.

The AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program is setting up sites across the state starting today. It is open to everyone regardless of age or income level but geared toward people with low to moderate incomes.

Karen Cummings, Tax-Aide state coordinator for AARP Idaho, said taxes can be complicated.

"We want to make it simple and we want to make it free and want to give them good communication on how to better manage their documents," Cummings explained. "And hopefully make them a little smarter on how they're paying their taxes."

Cummings pointed out in 2023, the program assisted with more than 12,000 returns in the state and helped Idahoans get $10 million in refunds.

She noted the volunteer assistants in the program trained throughout December and January to ensure they could properly help people with their taxes.

"We have to pass IRS certification tests," Cummings emphasized. "We are IRS certified to do the returns that are within our scope, and the volunteers are tremendous. They work and they put in so many hours through the season so we can provide this service."

Cummings added the program is able to assist in most cases, although not all. Complex tax returns involving small businesses with employees or rental income typically fall outside the scope of the volunteer preparers' training.

Disclosure: AARP Idaho contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Health Issues, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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