Seniors can receive help with taxes
By From staff reports
Published in News on January 25, 2011 1:46 PM
The AARP Tax Aide service will start offering free tax counseling and simple income tax preparation help Feb. 1
Seniors and low-income taxpayers can receive help with both state and federal tax returns on Mondays and Tuesdays through April 18.
Senior taxpayers, age 50 and older, will receive priority.
Assistance will be offered at the Wayne County Public Library between 9 a.m. and noon. The goal, organizers said, is to serve 25-30 taxpayers a day.
Both spouses must be present if filing a joint return.
Because of demand by the IRS, itemized returns cannot be prepared until AARP receives notification. Therefore, lengthy and complex returns will not be prepared until mid-March.
Taxpayers must bring all 2010 tax documents to the session, especially their Social Security statement or statements SSA 1099 and Form 1099R, for senior citizens. Taxpayers also must have documented proof of all itemized items.
The IRS requires that all taxpayers bring valid photo identification and a Social Security card or ITTN card for themselves and their dependents.
Tax returns will be filed electronically. The IRS will not allow AARP to prepare a return if the taxpayer refuses to have the return filed electronically.