The time has come — tax time — and volunteers are preparing themselves to assist taxpayers with low- and middle-income, with special attention to those 60 and older.

These services are free. We will prepare your return and electronically file it for you with the IRS. We will also e-file your state return if you have one to file.

This program was started in 1968 with only four volunteers and 100 clients. It has grown tremendously. For the 2011 tax season, thanks to the more than 32,000 dedicated AARP tax counselors, we serviced more than two million taxpayers nationwide. As one of those sites, Natchez, we assisted more than 200 people. Our services are safe, confidential, accurate, fast and above all, free!

Tax-aide volunteers are trained each year during January, using materials developed and provided by the IRS. The training prepares volunteers to handle the basic tax forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ), as well as the standard state tax forms for both Louisiana and Mississippi. We will assist you on a first-come first-served basis. We are hoping to get you in and out as expediently as possible.

Counselors will be available to possibly answer all of your tax related questions and prepare your return.

Should you seek our assistance, you should bring the following items: copy of last years’ return, Social Security card for yourself, your spouse and all dependents, all documents defining your income (W-2s, 1099s [INT, DIV, MISC]), Social Security benefits statement (SSA 1099), and all forms indicating federal income tax paid.

If you plan to itemize deductions you will need to bring supporting evidence for those deductions you plan to claim. This needs to be in reasonable order and legible.

Hopefully, you’ve set up a file to store all these documents to make the tax return preparation session a breeze for you and the tax preparer.

Also if you have a refund/balance due and you want direct deposit/debit you will need your checkbook for banking information.

The tax-aide site will again be located the George W. Armstrong Library, 220 South Commerce St., in Natchez. The site will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Wednesday, beginning Feb. 6 and continuing through April 10.

We are looking forward to your visit! Let us help you to take the worry out of tax preparation.

 

Jacqulyn B. Williams is the local coordinator for AARP Tax-Aide.