MARQUETTE — The Marquette, Ishpeming and Negaunee senior centers are looking to expand their teams of volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Volunteers work as part of the AARP Tax-Aide Program to provide high quality, free income tax preparation to low and moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those aged 60 and older.

Last year, volunteers at the three local sites prepared almost 900 returns resulting in more than $700,000 in refunds.

Ann Fisher, local site coordinator for Marquette, explained that although most volunteers choose to receive the training necessary to become tax preparers there is also a need for volunteers to welcome clients at the tax sites and assist them in organizing their paperwork. She added, “This is a wonderful volunteer opportunity. There is excellent support and training for volunteers and we are providing a real service to our friends and neighbors.” She said, “It doesn’t hurt that by the time tax season is over, so is winter.”

There will be an introductory meeting for people interested in learning about volunteering with the program in Citizens Forum room at Lakeview Arena at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 and Nov. 7. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in coordination with the IRS.