Yes, that time has rolled around again.

“Tax time” is when our AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare themselves to assist taxpayers of all ages with low to 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 — Mississippi or Louisiana — 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 2013 tax season, thanks to the over 32,000 dedicated AARP tax counselors, nationwide we serviced more than two million taxpayers. As one of those sites, Natchez, we assisted over 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 and 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: picture ID, copy of last year’s return, social security card for yourself, your spouse and all dependents, all documents defining your income (W-2’s, 1099’s which might include any of these: INT, DIV, MISC), brokerage statements, social security benefits statement (SSA 1099), all forms indicating federal income tax paid and new this year, all of your health insurance coverage information for you, your spouse and all dependents.

If you plan to itemize deductions you will need to bring supporting evidence (canceled checks or receipts) for those deductions you plan to claim.

All paperwork brought to the site should be organized 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 at the George W. Armstrong Library, 220 South Commerce St. in Natchez.

The site will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, beginning Feb. 4 and continuing through April 15. Please note new hours.

We are looking forward to you visit.

Come and let us help you to take the worry out of tax preparation.

 

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