Free tax filing help available

MAT-SU — The Tax-Aide program is designed to prepare basic tax returns for most low- and middle-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers trained by the Internal Revenue Service to prepare basic tax returns. By using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, these taxpayers also avoided tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or refund loans. And the service is free.

Help is available at the following locations in the Mat-Su:

• Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursdays. Call 745-5454 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome,

• Mid-Valley Senior Center, 11975 West Mid Valley Way, Houston, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Call 892-6114 after 10:30 a.m. for appointment; walk-ins also welcome.

• Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays. Call 376-3104 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome. Closed Feb. 16

• Mat-Su Evangelical Church, 5201 E. Mayflower Lane, Wasilla, about Mile 7, Palmer-Wasilla Highway, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays. Call 746-6113 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome.

Bring the following documents with you:

• Photo ID for all adult taxpayers

• Social Security or ITIN cards for all persons listed on the tax return

• W-2 forms, unemployment compensation, SSA-1099 Social Security, 1099-R pension/annuity, all 1099 forms (INT, DIV, B, MISC)

• A list of all deductible expenses (medical, contributions, mortgage interest, property taxes, medical/business mileage)

• Child care expense information (name/employer, address, EIN/Social Security number)

• Written bank account information for direct deposit

• Previous year’s tax return, if available

• Form 1095A for people who bought from the Affordable Care Act Marketplace

• A list of who on your tax return had coverage and for which months

• Healthcare.gov exemption certificate number, if you have one

• Taxable income information for dependents listed on the return

For more information, call 211, or toll free 800-478-2221.