AARP Tax-Aide to offer free tax preparation

Free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers is available from AARP Tax-Aide from Feb. 1-April 16. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. There is no age limit. Islanders will have to travel to Bellevue or Seattle for help.

Tax law can often be confusing, and AARP Tax-Aide volunteers can make the process of filling out tax returns easier. The volunteers have gone through a rigorous training program offered in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and have the knowledge to prepare your return taking advantage of all the many provisions of the tax code.

Last year, more than 1,000 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service helped more than 56,000 Washington residents file their personal income tax returns. The program is offered at more than 200 senior centers, libraries and other convenient locations in Washington.

To speed refunds, returns are filed electronically — refunds can be received in as little as 10 days.

To receive help with your tax return preparation during the Feb. 1-April 16 time periods, appointments can be scheduled at the North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., (425) 452-7681, which is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tax return assistance on a first come-first served basis is provided at the Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tax return assistance is also provided on a first come-first served basis at Lake Hills Library, 15590 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue, on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

When you visit a Tax-Aide site, please bring a copy of last year’s return, all W-2 and 1099 forms including SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits paid, property tax records if applicable, all receipts and canceled checks if itemizing, Social Security cards for yourself and dependents, and if applicable, dependent care provider information including name, employer and social security number.

To locate other Tax-Aide sites and operating times near you, call a toll-free number, 1-888-227-7669, or visit https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/taxaide_locator.jsp. Tax-Aide sites in Issaquah, Kirkland and Bothell are also open in the Feb. 1-April 16 time periods.

AARP Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction with the IRS.

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