KAPAA — Carlyssa Scalon of the Kauai Federal Credit Union Community Impact team prepared her taxes on Thursday at the Kalukalu at 1624 building in Kapaa.
“We’re not taking any more people,” the Tax-Aide in-person tax preparation service receptionist said. “We’re full for today. Can you make it to the Lihue Neighborhood Center?”
Scanlon was one of those waiting to have her taxes done by the team of Tax-Aide preparers spread out in the spacious lobby area of the former Otsuka’s Furniture building. Because Scanlon was working for the Kauai FCU, she had the flexibility of allowing others to have their returns done ahead of her.
“It’s free,” Sanlon said. “And I don’t have to be an AARP member. This is for anyone in the community.”
All in-person tax preparation site services are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Kalukalu at the 1624 building site was the return of Tax-Aide preparers to Kapaa for the first time in at least three years, and the community responded by filling the tax preparers’ team calendar.
Other new sites for the 2025 tax season the Tax-Aide team will visit include the HGEA office on Akahi Street — near the Tip Top Cafe — from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
The Kukui Grove Center is the final new site added to the Tax-Aide scheduling. The team will be at the shopping center on March 28 and 29 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide in-person tax preparation season started on Feb. 11 at the Lihue Neighborhood Center.
Attendance to the sessions indicates the sessions are well-received.
Following the Friday at HGEA office appearance, the Tax-Aides will be at the Hanapepe Public Library on Feb. 24, the Lihue Neighborhood Center on Feb. 25, the Koloa Neighborhood Center on Feb. 26, and the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Feb. 27.
The hours are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tax preparations are for individuals, not businesses, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The final Tax-Aide in-person preparations are on April 1 at the Lihue Neighborhood Center.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance to anyone, with a focus on taxpayers over 50 and with low to moderate incomes.
Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Its volunteers are IRS-certified each year, so they understand the latest changes to the tax code.
