NATCHEZ &045; Gardest Jackson walked down the library hall with a look of satisfaction. She had just e-filed her tax return to the Internal Revenue Service.

Like dozens of others so far this year, Jackson, a retired Concordia Parish school teacher, took advantage of the free tax-aide service offered by local AARP volunteers at the Judge George Armstrong Library.

&uot;They are very courteous and try to please everybody,&uot; Jackson said Wednesday. &uot;It’s just wonderful that they give their time to do this.&uot;

And she appreciates the chance to take part in the latest technology, using the Internet to file her taxes. &uot;It’s a time saver. All you have to do is just use it,&uot; she said.

The AARP Tax-Aide Program is administered nationwide in cooperation with the IRS, said Billy Parker, who has volunteered in the program for 11 years and now serves as local and district coordinator and as an instructor.

&uot;This is something I can do, and the more I did it, the more I could see it was a benefit to people,&uot; said Parker, a Natchez native who worked for 35 years as a design engineer for General Motors and moved back to Natchez when he retired.

When the program began, it was for retirees only. &uot;The IRS said that we couldn’t discriminate. So this is for everyone,&uot; he said. &uot;But we are limited in what we can do.&uot;

The volunteer tax counselors cannot take on complicated cases, he said. &uot;We don’t turn many people away, but a few we do.&uot;

Chris Foster was one of more than 10 filers waiting for a turn with a counselor. She said the program has been a big help. &uot;We don’t have that many deductions any more. This is a real service, and a good one.&uot;

The Natchez program is available every Wednesday, 1 to 5 p.m. It began Feb. 2 and continues through April 13. Priority is given to those 60 and older, but younger filers are encouraged to come, as well.

Counselors go through a two- to three-day training session each year before the tax-filing season begins, Parker said. Last year, the tax-aide program helped more than 300 in Adams County and more than 1.8 million nationwide.

Joseph Jackson, a retired City of Natchez worker, came for the first time this year. He was pleased to learn of the opportunity, he said. &uot;I saw it in the paper. Usually, I have to pay someone to do this for me,&uot; he said.

Tax counselors are Bruce Brice, Buddy McNeil, David Robertson, Jacqulyn Williams, Jo Wilson and Parker. June Parker and Paul Brown Harrington work as greeters and take preliminary information from the clients to assist counselors.

Parker said those interested in seeking the free service should assemble and bring certain documents with them, including names and Social Security numbers of all taxpayers and dependents; tax booklets mailed to them by the IRS; a copy of last year’s tax return; W-2 forms from each employer.

If applicable, clients should bring unemployment compensation statements; SSA-1099 form if paid Social Security benefits; all 1099 forms showing interest or dividends as well as documentation showing original purchase price of sold assets; 1099R forms for a pension or annuity; and all forms indicating federal income tax paid/

Other forms to bring may include child care provider information, such as name, employer ID and Social Security number; and receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions.