Seattle residents seeking assistance with their 2025 tax returns can now access free, in-person help through a new seasonal program offered by The Seattle Public Library. Beginning the week of Jan. 26 and continuing through mid-April, tax preparation services will be available at 11 library locations in collaboration with United Way of King County and AARP.
The service is designed for individuals who need help filing their personal tax returns. Volunteers trained and certified by partner organizations will assist with tax questions and filings at no cost. Business tax returns are not eligible under the program.
“Whether it’s your first time filing or you just need help navigating tax changes, our goal is to make this process more accessible for everyone,” said a Library representative.
United Way of King County will provide drop-in tax help at the Central Library and the South Park Branch. The program is open to individuals who earned less than $80,000 in 2025, or $96,000 for households with more than one filer. No appointments are necessary for these locations, and services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
At the Central Library, located at 1000 Fourth Avenue, assistance will be offered from Jan. 26 through April 19. Hours are Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The South Park Branch, at 8604 Eighth Avenue South, will host weekend-only assistance from Jan. 31 through April 19, with hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
AARP will also offer free tax assistance at nine additional library branches. Services vary by location, with a mix of drop-in and appointment-based options. Appointments can be made through AARP’s Tax-Aide site. Participating branches include Ballard, Broadview, Columbia, Douglass-Truth, Greenwood, NewHolly, Northeast, Queen Anne, and Southwest.
At the Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Avenue Northwest, services will run from Feb. 10 through April 14 on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Avenue Northwest, will host sessions Mondays from noon to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from Feb. 2 through April 13.
The Columbia Branch, at 4721 Rainier Avenue South, will offer help on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting Feb. 5. Appointments are preferred. At the Douglass-Truth Branch, located at 2300 East Yesler Way, AARP volunteers will be available on Mondays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., also beginning Feb. 2. Appointments are recommended.
Greenwood Branch, at 8016 Greenwood Avenue North, will host Thursday sessions from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., starting Feb. 5. The NewHolly Branch, 7058 32nd Avenue South, will be open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 7, with appointments preferred.
Tax help at the Northeast Branch, located at 6801 35th Avenue Northeast, will run Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting Feb. 7. At the Queen Anne Branch, 400 West Garfield Street, sessions will be held Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., beginning Feb. 1. The Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Avenue Southwest, will offer Friday and Sunday sessions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 6. Appointments are preferred for Sunday sessions.
To view a full schedule, see eligibility requirements, and find a list of documents needed to file, visit spl.org/TaxHelp.
Most tax forms and instruction booklets are no longer distributed directly by the Library due to federal budget cuts. However, forms can be downloaded and printed from www.irs.gov or requested by phone at 1-800-829-3676. Free black-and-white printing of tax forms is available from library computers.
Seattle residents are encouraged to take advantage of this free resource to make tax season easier and more manageable.
