AARP free tax preparation returns in February :
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Free in-person tax preparation assistance will return to Clinton County in February. The service through the AARP Foundation had been available for 33 straight years until 2021 as COVID-19 forced its cancellation.
But that will change starting Feb. 7, the service returning to the STEP Clinton County Community Center at Clinton Plaza off E. Walnut Street in Lock Haven, per this Friday announcement:
AARP Free Tax Preparation Available
Changes Have Been Made To The Program
| AARP Foundation is providing tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program — and it’s completely free.
There have been changes made to how the program works this year. Taxpayers interact with IRS-certified Tax-Aide volunteers in two short, in-person meetings to exchange documents. You will schedule your first appointment on a Monday to fill out paperwork and give your documents to a Tax-Aide volunteer and then leave the site. If you wish, you may bring copies of your documents instead of originals. Your tax return will be prepared and documents kept in a secure location during this time. A second appointment will be scheduled for the following Monday. At this appointment your completed tax return will be explained and your documents returned. Masks that cover your nose and mouth are REQUIRED for these appointments. Plan to arrive no more than 5 minutes before your appointment time. If you are ill, please call the STEP Center to cancel the appointment and the appointment will be rescheduled. If married filing jointly, both husband and wife MUST be present to have their return prepared. Help is available starting Monday, February 7, and ending Monday, April 11, at The STEP Clinton County Community Center located at 124 East Walnut Street, Lock Haven, PA. Appointments are required. Starting Monday, January 31, you may call 570-858-5800 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to schedule an appointment. Do not call earlier as scheduling will not be available. AARP Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation help to people with low to moderate incomes–giving preference to people over age 50. The program is offered in conjunction with the IRS and AARP membership is not required. HELP US HELP YOU You MUST have 1 or 2 letters from the IRS this year. The IRS will mail the letters on January 19, 2022. Letter #6475 states exactly what you received in 2021 stimulus money. Letter #6419 states what you received in 2021 Advanced Child Tax Credit. We will NOT prepare your return without this documentation. Bring your federal and state tax returns for the previous two years, 2019 and 2020. Bring any of the following tax documents that you received: · Photo identification (example: driver’s license) · SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security · Birth dates, photo ID and Social Security numbers for all taxpayers and all taxpayer’s dependents. (You can use either your Social Security Card or Benefit Statement Form SSA-1099) · RRB-1099-R US Railroad Retirement Board forms · Checking account routing and account numbers for direct deposit · Form 1095A if you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace (Exchange) · All wage and earning statements (for example, Form W-2 or Form W-2G) · All 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B showing interest and/or dividends and documentation showing original purchase price of assets sold · All pension and retirement statements (Form 1099-R) · 1099-MISC, 1099-K, or other 1099 forms. · A copy of last year’s federal and state returns · Property tax receipts or signed rental certificate for the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program · Any other documents showing income not reported on above documents (for example, 1099 MISC)
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