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 (Mississippi or Louisiana) return if you have one to file.

For the 2012 tax season, thanks to the over 32,000 dedicated AARP tax counselors, nationwide we serviced more then 2 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 Mississippi and Louisiana. 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: picture ID, copy of last year’s return, social security card for yourself, your spouse and all dependents, all documents defining your income (W-2s, 1099’s, INT, DIV, MISC), social security benefit statements (SSA 1099) and all forms indicating federal income tax paid.

If you plan to itemize deductions you will need to bring supporting evidence (canceled checks or receipts) 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 is located in the George W. Armstrong Library, 220 S. Commerce St. in Natchez. The site will be open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning Feb. 5 and continuing through April 9.

We are looking forward to your visit. Come, let us help you take the worry out of tax preparation.

 

Jacqulyn B. Williams

AARP Tax-Aide local coordinator