published: Friday, February 15, 2013

AARP Tax-Aide continues free tax preparation service

Special to the News-Sun

The AARP Tax-Aide Program, a free nation-wide tax preparation service focusing on low- to middle-income level persons with special emphasis on those 60 or older, will continue to offer free services at three Highlands County locations until April 15.

Membership in AARP is not required to take advantage of this service and there is no age requirement. Appointments are not necessary, taxpayers are assisted on a first come, first served basis. Do not call the church with tax questions; the church staff is not trained in tax matters and they will not be able to assist. If you have tax related questions, you should come into one of the below listed sites and speak directly to one of the IRS Certified Tax-Aide counselors.

The locations, days and times of operation are as follows:

- Avon Park: First Baptist Church, 100 N. Lake Ave., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays (this is a change). Local coordinator is Sam Cline, 382-2250.

- Lake Placid: St. Francis Episcopal Church, 43 Lake June Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays. Local coordinators are Terri Koopman, 699-1204, or Marcia Kissane, 465-4966.

- Sebring: Faith Lutheran Church, 2740 Lakeview Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Local coordinator is Bill Shelton, 385-3802.

When visiting one of the AARP tax preparation sites, bring a photo ID, the Social Security cards for all persons listed on the return, a copy of your tax return from last year and all documents received that include income. This includes all 1099 R's, W-2's 1099- SSA's, Railroad Retirement statements, interest and/or dividend income statements and reports of stock sales (these must include the price you originally paid for the stock as well as the price you sold it for).

For further information contact the local coordinator for the location as noted above or Philip Devon, district coordinator for AARP Tax Aide in Highlands County, at 452-2123.