113th Year, 26th Issue Thursday, February 7, 2002 Sparta, North Carolina
Tax Aides Sue Uhl (from left), Frances Buckle and Ed Laughinghouse get ready for the tax rush at the senior center.

AARP Tax-Aides working at Senior Center for second year

A program offering free tax help to senior citizens and others is under way for a second year in Alleghany County.

Sponsored nationally by AARP (the American Association of Retired Persons) and locally by the Alleghany Council on Aging, Alleghany County AARP Tax-Aide Service is available Wednesday afternoons from now (beginning Feb. 6) until April 10. The program is also endorsed by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).

Trained local volunteer tax counselors will be on hand to help taxpayers prepare their federal and state returns. The service is available free to all taxpayers, with senior citizens, especially those with low to moderate incomes, given priority.

AARP membership is not required.

Tax-Aide is only for personal, not business tax returns. Appointments are required and are available by calling Volunteer Coordinator Debbie White at 372-5457. About eight appointments per day can be taken, White commented Tuesday.

The sessions last about an hour each and are scheduled between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Senior Center on Whitehead Street in Sparta.

Taxpayers should bring the following documents to their Tax-Aide sessions:

  • 2001 tax forms and preparation booklets;
  • a copy of 2000 income tax returns and supporting documentation;
  • W-2 and W-2p forms from each employer, if a salary was earned;
  • unemployment compensation statements;
  • SSA-1099 forms if Social Security benefits were paid;
  • all 1099 forms showing interest and/or dividends and original purchase price of sold assets;
  • 1099R form from the payer of a pension or annuity;
  • all forms indicating federal income tax paid;
  • child care provider information, including Social Security number(s);
  • all receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions; and
  • Social Security numbers for all dependents.

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