Each year, in late winter and early spring, we offer an AARP Tax-Aide program that helps tribal families file their taxes correctly. Prior to 2012, WSCAT provided tax filing assistance to both the Warm Springs and Madras communities. Between 2012 and 2022, we have focused primarily on serving the Warm Springs Reservation community. And although the pandemic shut the site down early in 2019 and kept it closed in 2020, the services are picking back up. In 2023, we reopened a Madras tax site. Over the last ten years, WSCAT has assisted over 3,500 people in filing their income taxes, with nearly 83% receiving refunds.
Between 2009 and 2012, Warm Springs completed 546 returns in Warm Springs, with 90% receiving federal refunds. The total amount refunded was $718,831, with the average federal refund size of $1,514. During that time, Madras completed 562 returns, with 67% receiving refunds. The total amount refunded was $580,866, with the average federal refund of $1,439.
| Tax year | Population served | Federal Returns | Received federal refund | Total federal refunds | Average federal refund |
| 2012 | Warm Springs | 358 | 298 | $421,888 | $1,416 |
| 2013 | Warm Springs | 248 | 198 | $328,048 | $1,657 |
| 2014 | Warm Springs | 267 | 212 | $342,630 | $1,616 |
| 2015 | Warm Springs | 314 | 257 | $401,462 | $1,562 |
| 2016 | Warm Springs | 396 | 321 | $479,579 | $1,494 |
| 2017 | Warm Springs | 421 | 380 | $727,090 | $1,913 |
| 2018 | Warm Springs | 395 | 363 | $874,594 | $2,319 |
| 2019 | Warm Springs | 250* | Unknown | $622,430 | $2,431 |
| 2020 | Site Closed | ||||
| 2021 | Warm Springs | 205 | 189 | $596,679 | $2,828 |
| 2022 | Madras | 134 | Unknown | $113,768 | $1,905 |
| 2022 | Warm Springs | 207 | Unknown | $394,419 | $946 |
| 2,854 | 2,218 | $4,794,400 | $1,915 |
*Closed early due to COVID-19
WSCAT usually begins its free Tax-Aide Program in mid-February of each year. Service takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 am and 5. All tax preparation services are by appointment only; due to high demand we cannot serve walk-in customers.
To make an appointment, call the WSCAT office at 541-553-3148. Time slots are allocated on a first-call, first served basis.
WSCAT’s 2022 AARP Tax-Aide team, from left to right – Emily Courtney, Saphronia Coochise, Leah Guliasi, Nettie Dickson (Program Manager), Carina Miller, Dustin Seyler, Mallory Smith, and Demus Martinez.
