Now available: free help preparing your taxes

PRIME – February 2014 By Linda F. Fitzgerald AARP State President We all know what the New Year really brings tax time all across the nation! More than 600 volunteers are ready and waiting to help older Massachusetts residents with basic federal and state tax returns, for free. Each year, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the largest, volunteer-run, free tax preparation program in the country, operates right here in the Commonwealth, with 239 locations across the state. "AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more than 40,000 Massachusetts residents with tax returns and questions last year," Mike Festa, state director of AARP Massachusetts, which serves 800,000 members age 50 and older in the Commonwealth, noted. "The excellent service provided by dedicated volunteers earns the program high marks in customer satisfaction and keeps clients coming back each year." For those with low to moderate incomes, our volunteers can help identify all the tax credits and deductions for which you may qualify. Tom Ligon, the volunteer state coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, said, "Seniors often come to us expecting to get little or no money back on their return, but are overjoyed when they learn they'll get a refund thanks to the 'Circuit Breaker' (CB) tax credit." Often overlooked, the Circuit Breaker tax credit is available to Massachusetts property owners and renters who are age 65 and older and meet certain criteria. According to Ligon, the credit may even amount to a few thousand dollars, if the taxpayer is eligible but has not taken advantage of it for the past few years. "Property tax is a real burden on seniors," he said, "So the Circuit Breaker is a big help. We can file an amended return for a taxpayer up to three years." Taxpayers can get a CB credit of up to $1,030 on their 2013 returns. Trained in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, AARP Tax Aide volunteers are well-versed in tax rules. In fact, they can also help with the following programs: Energy Efficiency Credits, which may be available to qualifying Bay State residential property owners. Schedule HC, which is proof of health insurance coverage, and must be completed by all Massachusetts residents when filing taxes. With a team of knowledgeable, skilled, friendly and helpful volunteers, you can't go wrong. Because of this, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide consistently achieves a significant rate of repeat customers. In fact, surveys have found that 95 percent of our clients are very satisfied with the service, and 96 percent would be highly likely to recommend it to others needing assistance. And, yes, it really is free. Before meeting with an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer, all you need to do is gather together some basic information. You will need to bring the following documents with you to the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site: • A copy of last year's income tax returns. • The W-2 forms from each employer. • Any unemployment compensation statements. • A SSA-1099 form, if you were paid Social Security benefits. • A 1099-HC form, if you have private health insurance. • All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-misc.,), showing interest and/or dividends as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets. • 1099R forms, if you received a pension or annuity. • All receipts or canceled checks, if itemizing deductions. To find a Tax-Aide location in your community, call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669) or visit www.aarp.org/ma. Linda F. Fitzgerald is the volunteer state president of AARP Massachusetts, which serves more than 800,000 members age 50 and older in the Bay State. Connect with AARP Massachusetts online at www.aarp.org/ma ; www.facebook.com/AARPMA and www.twitter.com/AARPMA .