AARP offers FREE tax help to senior citizens

AARP offers FREE tax help to senior citizens

Low to middle income senior citizens with simple federal and Vermont state tax returns can obtain help from AARP volunteers in Franklin county.

Assistance will be provided at the Georgia Library (call 524-4643 for an appointment) on Mondays from 9:00 to 3, from Feb. 1 to April 5, 2010; at the Franklin County Senior Center ( call 524-6616 for appointment) at 75 Messenger St , St. Albans on Tuesdays from 2/9 to 4/6, from 9-1; at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (also call 524-6616) at 8 Bishop St., St. Albans on Saturdays 2/20 and 3/20, from 9-1; and at the Swanton Library (call 688-7656) on Thursdays, 2/18,2/25, 3/4 and 3/11, from 10-2.

Gather your 2009 forms such as W-2’s, social security (SSA-1099), SSI payments, pensions ((1099-R), dividends (1099-Div), interest (1099-Int), unemployment (1099-G), capital gains, investment statements with dates of purchase/sale, and other income (1099-
misc). Bring your 2008 federal and Vermont tax returns ( in your AARP envelope).

Bring both your 2008/09 and 2009/10 property tax bills, landlord’s certificate (LC-142) if you rent, non-profit mobile home park form and any tax forms/letters/information that was mailed to you. You may also need to bring information on the purchase of a new car,
new home or qualified energy efficiency improvements to your home and documentation of all medical expenses, taxes, mortgage interest, donations to charity, if you itemize your deductions (most will use standard deduction).

If you own your home, you may qualify for the Vermont Property Tax adjustment (part of your property tax bill) if your household income is below $97,000 and must file Vt. Form HS- 122. If you rent, you may qualify for a Vermonter’s rental rebate (PR-141) if your
income is below $47,000. You may qualify for the Vermont Lifeline phone credit (bring a copy of your phone bill) of $13/month if you are over 65 and have an income below $25,498 or are younger than 65 and have an income below $21,855. Bring a blank check
or routing and account numbers should you wish to have your refund directly deposited to your account.

Thanks, Michael Adams, AARP tax counselor, 893-1668