Tax Aide program returning to Marshfield in February; free appointments available through 211

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!

MARSHFIELD, Wis. -- Volunteers with the Tax Aide program will begin preparing federal and state tax returns in Marshfield starting the first full week of February, offering free help for eligible residents at the Senior Center, 211 E. 2nd St.
Ed, a local Tax Aide volunteer, shared details about the service during a recent episode of the Marshfield Now! show on the Marshfield Now! channel, hosted by David Ballerstein. Tax Aide is sponsored by AARP and the Marshfield Recreation Department, and is aimed at moderate- and low-income filers, with a focus on people over 50, he said.

Appointments required
Tax returns are prepared on Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, and appointments are required, Ed said. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 211 or 877-947-2211, which routes through United Way in Wisconsin Rapids. Residents can also schedule an appointment in person during Tax Aide operating hours at the Senior Center, he said.

He encouraged residents not to call the recreation department to book appointments, saying staff there cannot schedule Tax Aide visits.

Who must file
​Whether a person must file depends on age, filing status and income, Ed said. He outlined several income thresholds discussed during the program, including:

• Single: over $15,000 (under 65) or $17,000 (65 or older)
• Married filing jointly: over $30,000 (both under 65); $31,600 (one 65+); $33,200 (both 65+)
• Head of household: over $22,500 (under 65) or $24,500 (65+)
• Qualified surviving spouse (spouse died in 2024 with a dependent): over $30,000 (under 65) or $31,600 (65+)
  
  

He also noted two common exceptions: people with marketplace insurance must file regardless of income, and self-employed individuals generally must file if they made more than $400.

What Tax Aide can’t prepare
Because of IRS rules and the limits of the volunteer program, Tax Aide cannot prepare certain returns, Ed said. Examples he listed include married filing separately in Wisconsin, returns involving bankruptcy or divorce in 2025, farm income, depreciation and many situations involving business inventory, along with virtual currency, most K-1 forms, Medicare savings accounts and session gambling.

What to bring
To reduce fraud, the IRS requires Tax Aide volunteers to verify identity with a photo ID, Ed said. He also recommended bringing:

• Social Security numbers and any Social Security statements
• All income documents (W-2s, interest/dividends, retirement income, and documents related to selling stocks or bonds)
• The prior year’s tax return for comparison
• For homestead tax credit: a tax bill or a signed rent certificate
• Bank routing information for direct deposit
  
  

Ed said the IRS has been encouraging direct deposit and warned that people insisting on paper checks could face a longer process involving an identity verification form and additional waiting time.

Updates discussed for 2025 and beyond
During the conversation, Ed also highlighted several changes and reminders affecting taxes discussed on the program, including an additional deduction for some people over 65, new rules related to overtime premium pay and tips, and adjustments related to items like vehicle-interest deductions tied to where a new car is assembled. He also said Wisconsin did not adopt federal changes from a recently passed bill, but added a retirement exclusion with tradeoffs for other state credits.

Ed also cautioned mail filers to plan ahead, saying rural post offices may no longer postmark mail the day it arrives locally, potentially affecting deadlines.

Volunteers needed
Tax Aide is also seeking volunteers. Ed said the program uses “client facilitators,” who help organize paperwork, and “tax counselors,” who prepare returns using tax software and receive more extensive training. Those interested in volunteering can call 715-207-5601, he said.

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