A Surprising Path to Personal Growth and Connection

It’s no secret that tax season makes a lot of people anxious. But for Grant Blair, a Scottish transplant and retired finance IT professional, it led down an unconventional path to community connection and personal growth. 

After retiring in 2021, Grant kept himself busy with freelance projects, but working solo made him feel cut off from other people. His son told him about AARP Foundation Tax Aide, which provides tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 or have low to moderate income.  

“I had always done my own tax preparation,” says Grant with a laugh. “How complicated could retired people’s taxes really be?”  

He took all the necessary trainings, got his IRS certification and joined Tax-Aide at the start of the 2023 tax season, operating out of two rural New Jersey libraries. His clients ranged from teenagers with their first jobs to 95-year-olds.  

Grant quickly realized that preparing tax forms was just one part of the Tax-Aide experience. Some clients arrived with straightforward returns, while others brought grocery bags full of medical receipts or complicated financial documents.  

Most of all, they brought their stories. 

Grant started each session by reviewing the paperwork and gently encouraging clients to share their backgrounds. Some were so eager to talk that he had to carefully balance listening attentively with accurate data entry.  

“These were often my most appreciative clients,” he notes. “They were thankful not just for the tax help, but for having someone to talk with for an hour, someone to share a little bit of their life with.”  

The support system among the volunteers was just as important to Grant. When he encountered unfamiliar situations — like an injured spouse claim or complicated military pay — the more seasoned team members told him what he needed to know. The collaborative environment enabled volunteers to connect with and learn from each other. 

Grant’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. After preparing nearly 100 returns over 20 days, he was asked to take on a local coordinator role for the following tax season. It was a natural progression for someone who now understood that tax preparation went beyond numbers. 

“It’s not just about filling out forms and filing with the IRS,” he says. “It’s about creating a welcoming space where people can feel heard and supported during what might otherwise be a stressful process.” 

In his search for human contact, Grant discovered something unexpected: Sometimes, the most meaningful connections come from the most surprising things — even taxes. 

Learn more about AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and how to become a Tax-Aide Volunteer.

Read more stories about how our programs have helped people find hope, and about the volunteers who give so much of themselves to help others.