Local volunteers make tax time easier

MAT-SU — With less than three weeks left in the tax season, procrastinators are starting to panic.

Lengthy forms, tedious numbers and difficult-to-understand tax laws have many scrambling for help. In the Mat-Su Valley, there is help for some.

Seven volunteers from the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (VITA/TCE) Tax-Aide program have set up tax stations around the Valley to assist low-income, the disabled and seniors by offering free last-minute tax help.

VITA/TCE Tax-Aide offers tax relief to low- to moderate-income (generally those whose annual income is $40,000 and less) and to people who struggle preparing their own tax returns, including senior citizens and the disabled.

Volunteers are providing tax counseling and e-filing preparation through grants issued from the IRS following the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) guidelines.

Vicki Geronimi, a former credit consultant in her sixth year as a VITA/TCE volunteer, said she enjoys helping others prepare what can often become complicated tax paperwork.

“I saw an advertisement where the IRS was looking for people to help with taxes and I figured that since this is something I’ve done all my life, I’d sign up,” Geronimi said.

Geronimi receives free training as well as the use of a new computer and printer during the busy tax season.

“Most of the volunteers aren’t accountants, but just good with numbers,” she said. “You don’t have to be an AARP member to get the free tax service. Our time is completely donated. We’re just trying to help people out.”

The free e-mailing software used by VITA/TCE Tax-Aide — Tax Wise — is similar to the popular Turbo Tax software, assisting the preparer through each step accurately and thoroughly to ensure the tax return is submitted correctly, Geronimi said.

Through the first part of March, VITA/TCE volunteers had e-filed more than 275 tax returns at various sites around the Mat-Su Valley. Geronimi said that’s a 42-percent increase over last year and the season isn’t over yet. More than $200,000 in refunds have been e-processed through the VITA/TCE tax service since January.

“Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger,” Geronimi said. “More first-time people are coming in and the previous ones are returning, happy that they found us again. In the past six years, we have grown from a couple of helping hands doing taxes by hand to seven volunteers trained on the computer offering free e-filing.”

Stimulating incentive

Other than a possible refund, Geronimi said there is more incentive to get taxes done this year.

Starting in May, the U.S. Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, at least $3,000 in annual income last year and have filed a 2008 federal tax return.

Eligible taxpayers will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples) and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17.

Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must file this year in order to receive the Economic Stimulus Payment, Geronimi said.

VITA/TCE volunteers are hoping those who qualify for the one-time payment who don’t normally submit federal taxes will show up at one of the VITA/TCE Valley locations before the deadline and let a volunteer help get the ball rolling, she said.

“This affects a lot of individuals,” Geronimi said. “I know a lady who’s 92 years old who receives Social Security who doesn’t normally file. But her Social Security allows her to qualify for the Economic Stimulus Payment program. It’s worth finding out more about, and that’s where we can help those in need of assistance.”

Geronimi said all seven tax counselors have been trained, tested and certified by the IRS to assist in preparing Economic Stimulus Payment paperwork.

“We are trained to file for single parents, elderly and anyone else struggling with low- to middle-income tax returns,” she said.

(appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome)

Glacier View Bible Church, 746-1421

Mile 98 Glenn Highway.

Mondays, March 31 and April 7, 2 to 5 p.m.

Mid Valley Senior Center, 892-6114 (call after 10:30 a.m. on weekdays)

11975 West Mid Valley Way, Houston. Turn left at Mile 53 Parks Highway and follow the signs.

Monday, April 14, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Palmer Senior Center, 745-5454

831 S. Chugach St. (through April 12)

Fridays 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Upper Su Senior Housing 746-6113

16605 East Helena, Senior Housing Unit #4

April 3, 1 to 4 p.m.

Wasilla Senior Center 376-3104

1301 Century Circle,

Mondays through April 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Willow Senior Housing 746-6113

Turn at the float plane dock, Mile 70 Parks Highway; take the left into the senior housing complex; common room is in center of building, Friday, April 4, noon to 4 p.m..