The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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March 18, 2010

Free income tax help available

Free income tax preparation assistance is available locally through April 14 through the Tax-Aide/Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.

Tax-Aide/TCE is a service of AARP, the retired persons organization, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The free program targets lower-income, elderly and handicapped taxpayers.

Volunteers have been trained by the IRS to prepare simple federal forms, as well as Pennsylvania tax returns. Counselors also can prepare applications for rent rebates and can alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible.

The free assistance is not limited to senior citizens. Although a couple of the sites are in senior centers, low-income taxpayers of all ages are invited to take advantage of the program.

Volunteers will not prepare complicated returns for those who own businesses or rental properties or who are self-employed. The IRS does not permit volunteers to complete Schedule C for business owners because preparing them is not part of the training.

The IRS says those seeking assistance should take these items to the sites: Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents; birth dates for dependents listed on the tax return; wage and earning statements including W-2 and 1099 forms and other relevant materials showing income for 2009; copies of 2008 federal and state returns; the 2009 tax package if one arrived in the mail; bank routing and account numbers if a tax refund is to be direct deposited; the total paid for day care and the day-care provider’s identification number; and receipts for real estate taxes paid in 2009. Taxpayers who bought a vehicle during the year should take a receipt showing the purchase to qualify for a special credit.

Tenants who will be seeking Pennsylvania rent rebates must have with them their landlord-signed form.

Electronic tax-return filing is available at all the Mercer County sites.

Three of the sites – Shenango Valley Senior Center, McQuiston Center by the Park and Keystone Blind Association – require appointments. Taxpayers without appointments will not be served.

Tax-Aide/TCE volunteers will be available at these times and locations next week:

• Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Mercer – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Use the Penn Avenue entrance for Gallagher Hall.

• Knights of Columbus hall, 170 Clarksville Road, Greenville – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

• Sharon City Building – 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Keystone Blind Association, 1230 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon – 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by appointment only by calling 724-347-5501. Use the Stambaugh Avenue entrance because tax preparers will be located on the first floor.

• Sharpsville Borough Building – 9 a.m. to noon Monday.

• Pine Grove Community Center, Barkeyville Road outside Grove City, near the Pine Township firehall – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

• Sandy Lake Community Senior Center at McQuiston Center by the Park – 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday by appointment only by calling 724-376-3608.

• Shenango Valley Senior Center, Hermitage – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only by calling 724-981-7950 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Free assistance is available for homebound taxpayers through March 31. To arrange a visit, call Ann Jofery, 724-347-5245, and leave a message.

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