Free tax filing is available to help those navigate the increasingly tech-heavy process.

Erik Chalhoub here, bringing up everyone’s favorite word: taxes. Yes, tax season is upon us, as evidenced by the flashy commercials that attempt to make filing your returns look hip.

In reality, it’s not. It’s tedious and complicated.

The Internal Revenue Service has made efforts in recent years to go paperless for tax filing, intended to expedite processing times. If you need help, don’t expect to find it at the source—the IRS had about a third of its staff cut in 2025.

As is the case when it comes to most things from the federal government, locals have had to fill in the gaps. And for a population that may not be as computer-savvy as their younger peers, help is all the more needed.

Alliance On Aging is again offering its free tax preparation services for people ages 60 and older, as well as those with disabilities.

Appointments are offered throughout Monterey County, including the Marina, Greenfield and King City branch libraries, Carmel Foundation, Scholze Park Center in Monterey, Meals on Wheels Community Center in Pacific Grove, the Alliance On Aging HUB in Salinas and Oldemeyer Center in Seaside.

Rita Hill, the tax program coordinator for Alliance On Aging, said during a media briefing that the agency helped more than 2,340 people in 2025 file their state and federal tax returns, resulting in more than $1.3 million in federal refunds and nearly $271,000 in state refunds.

Hill added the organization has about 30 volunteers that go through two six-week training sessions in the fall and winter in preparation. Some of the volunteers are retired IRS employees, and the Alliance On Aging is in constant contact with the IRS and the state.

With tax filing going mostly paperless, it requires a certain amount of tech knowledge to be successful.

“When I started filing taxes, we did everything paper and pencil,” she said. “Taxes were pretty straightforward. Taxes are so complicated now.”

Schedule an appointment for tax help (in English or Spanish) by calling (831) 655-1334, or visiting allianceonaging.org. You need to bring a photo ID, Social Security card or ITIN, last year’s tax return if available, all income documents (such as W-2s or 1099s), bank routing information for direct deposit and any IRS letters received.

Help is also available through the United Way’s VITA tax program, which prepares taxes for free for those who earned $67,000 or less in 2025.

Tax filing may not be glamorous, but it’s encouraging to know there are unsung heroes among us who make what can be a painful time of the year a little easier.