Free income tax preparation help available

Free income tax preparation assistance will be available locally next week through the Tax-Aide/Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.

Tax-Aide/TCE is a service of AARP, the retired persons organization, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The free program targets lower-income, elderly and handicapped taxpayers.

Volunteers have been trained by the IRS to prepare simple federal forms, as well as Pennsylvania and local tax returns. Counselors also can prepare applications for rent rebates and can alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible.

The free assistance is not limited to senior citizens. Although several of the sites are in senior centers, low-income taxpayers of all ages are invited to take advantage of the program. Volunteers will not prepare complicated returns for those who own businesses or rental properties or who are self-employed.

For the first time, the program is offering electronic filing — by appointment only — between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Keystone Blind Association on Stambaugh Avenue in Sharon. Volunteers cannot e-file for taxpayers without appointments. To make an appointment, call the blind association at 347-5501.

Those seeking assistance are asked to take to the sites their W-2 and 1099 forms and other relevant materials showing income for 1999. They also should take copies of their 1998 tax returns.

All Mercer County sites will be closed on primary election day, April 4. Tax-Aide/TCE volunteers will be available at the following times and locations next week:

Sharon City Building — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Farrell City Building. — 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday. This site is a change from previous years.

Pennsylvania National Guard Armory, 740 N. Hermitage Road, Hermitage — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. The site was changed this year while the city building is being renovated.

Greenville Senior Center at St. Paul Homes, West Salem Township — 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday.

Sharpsville Borough Building — 9 a.m. to noon Monday.

Pine Grove Community Center, Barkeyville Road outside Grove City near the Pine Township firehall — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The IRS’ 24-hour help line for those preparing their own federal income tax forms is (800) 829-1040. It will be operating through April 15.

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