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After canceling the past two years, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation is back to help folks file their 2021 taxes.

The AARP Tax-Aide Foundation is once again sponsoring free tax preparation services starting on Feb. 2 at the Suffolk Workforce Center, 157 N. Main St.

People with low to moderate income can make an appointment from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to get help filing their taxes. Since the Internal Revenue Service partially sponsors this service, it is open for anyone who needs help.

“This is a free service,” said Charles Cone, one of the tax counselors who has worked with the program for 10 years. “This is so folks don’t have to pay around $300 to $500 to a provider to help them file their taxes.”

Before the appointment, folks will need to stop by the Suffolk Workforce Center to pick up a packet with an intake form and instructions on what to bring for the appointment, including last year’s taxes, proof of identification and a Social Security card. This information will help the appointment go as smoothly as possible.

When folks come, they will work with a trained volunteer to fill out their taxes for the year. The counselors will help folks get the most out of their filing as well as make sure all the information is correct. Once they are done, they will take their tax form to a second counselor who will double-check that all of the information is accurate. Then they will electronically file both state and federal taxes.

According to Cone, each year in December the volunteer counselors are taught the tax laws and informed of any changes that may have taken place since the previous year.

“We know the tax laws,” he said. “During most of December, we go through extensive training on how to prepare.”

To make an appointment, call 757-774-7908. The final day of services will be April 18.