AARP offering tax help at Accentra

Published 10:56 am Friday, January 29, 2016

AARP District Coordinator Lucy Gotz (left) helps Daine Chihak of Austin with her taxes last year in the basement of Accentra Credit Union. AARP volunteers are working through April 15 to offer tax help to seniors and low- to moderate-income residents.  -- Herald file photo

AARP District Coordinator Lucy Gotz (left) helps Daine Chihak of Austin with her taxes last year in the basement of Accentra Credit Union. AARP volunteers are working through April 15 to offer tax help to seniors and low- to moderate-income residents. — Herald file photo

Accentra Credit Union will once again host the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program at Accentra starting Feb. 1 in the basement conference room.

Appointments can be made now for the program, which usually runs into the beginning of April, Director of Marketing Anna Olson said. It also depends on how many appointments they get.

AARP has IRS-certified volunteers to help low- to moderate-income and elderly tax payers with forms, preparations and questions. AARP membership is not required.

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“They provide a great benefit to the community at no cost,” Paul Knorr, CEO of Accentra, said. “They are a good partner and meet needs in the community.”

Knorr said about 1,500 tax returns in that program come from Austin. AARP has hosted the program itself since 1968.

Important Documents to Bring to the Tax-Aide Site

The checklist below includes items you need to bring when you visit an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide appointment:

•Last year’s tax return(s)

•Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all your dependents

•Photo I.D. required for all taxpayers.

•Checkbook if you want to direct deposit any refund(s).

Income

•W-2 from each employer

•Unemployment compensation statements

•SSA-1099 form showing the total Social Security benefits paid to you for the year, or Form RRB-1099, Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits

•1099 forms reporting interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), proceeds from sales (1099-B), as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets

•1099-R form if you received a pension, annuity, or IRA distribution

•1099-Misc forms

•Information about other forms of Income

•State or local income tax refund

Payments

All forms and canceled checks indicating federal and state income tax paid (including quarterly estimated tax payments)

Deductions

Most taxpayers have a choice of taking either a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. If you have a substantial amount of deductions, you may want to itemize. You will need to bring the following information:

•1098 form showing any home mortgage interest

•1098-T and 1098-E forms (Tuition and Student Loan Interest payments)

•A list of medical/dental expenses (including doctor and hospital bills and medical insurance premiums), prescription medicines, costs of assisted living services, and bills for home improvements such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities

•Summary of contributions to charity

•Receipts or canceled checks for all quarterly or other paid tax

•Property Tax bills and proof of payment

Health Insurance

•Form 1095A if you purchased through Marketplace (Exchange)

•Any exemption correspondence from the Marketplace (if applicable)

Credits

•Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, or Social Security number)

•1099 forms related to continuing education and related receipts and canceled checks

—Source: AARP