AARP Tax‑Aide asks Missoula County to make underused space available for seasonal tax prep

During the meeting’s public-comment period, Janet Lilly, volunteer district coordinator for the AARP Tax‑Aide program in Missoula, asked county officials to identify underutilized county rooms that could host free federal and state income tax preparation for older adults and low- and moderate-income individuals. Lilly said the volunteer team prepared about 1,200 federal tax returns last season and secured nearly $1.2 million in refunds for clients but struggled each year to find consistent space; in the past three years the program used five different sites.

Lilly asked for minimal support (a room, tables, chairs and Internet access three to four days a week for roughly 10 weeks) and said AARP would provide equipment. County staff asked Lilly to leave contact information so staff could look into county-owned venues such as the Lifelong Learning Center or fairgrounds and follow up on potential availability.