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Five Questions: Tax time

By Nicole Kelley - | Feb 24, 2010

Nicole Kelley

Barbara Dooley, a volunteer with the AARP Tax-Aide service, gives tax preparation advice to Eric Steck, of Merriam, at the Antioch Public Library location in Shawnee. Bill Peterson, Partnership and Communications Specialist with AARP Tax-Aide Kansas, talks about the AARP Tax-Aide program in this Five Questions.

Q: What is AARP Tax-Aide?

A: AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service, preparing tax returns and answering tax questions free of charge. AARP Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation and is offered in conjunction with the IRS.

Q: Who qualifies to use the service?

A: Our mission is to provide high quality free income tax assistance and tax form preparation to low- and moderate- income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. You don’t need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

Q: What does someone need to bring to a Tax-Aide appointment?

A: Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents; picture identification card such as your driver’s license; copy of previous year’s tax returns; all W-2 forms received; all 1099 forms received; all forms indicating federal income tax paid; unemployment compensation statements; dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, social security number); details of rent paid for claiming Kansas Homestead refunds; summary list of receipts and canceled checks for deductible items — if itemizing; details of real estate taxes paid — even if you do not itemize; new car buyers — bring documentation showing sales tax — even if you do not itemize; and homebuyers seeking new extended homebuyers credit — bring copy of closing statement showing purchase price and closing date.

Q: What types of taxes can’t be prepared by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers?

A: Schedule C (business profit and loss), Schedule D (capital gains and losses), Schedule E (rental property, royalties, partnerships, and trusts that involved depreciation), Form 2106 (employee business expense), Form 3903 (moving expenses), Form 8615 (minor’s investment income), some portions of Schedules As and Bs and all of Schedule K-1s.

Q: How can someone find the nearest site to them to get their taxes done?

A: Visit aarp.org/taxaide and select the “Find a location near you” link. If you are unable to access the Internet, call AARP toll free at (888) 227-7669.