Tax Help Available at Darien Library

Tax-Aide, a program administered by the AARP Foundation in conjunction with and under the auspices of the IRS, is coming to Darien Library. Every Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., from February 4 through April 18, this service will be available (appointments are optional).

Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service and is available to all individual filers regardless of income or age (but with emphasis on low- and middle-income households and special attention to those age sixty and older).  Last year, over one and a half million taxpayer returns were prepared and filed through this service, the vast majority of them electronically.  In Connecticut, over 21,000 federal returns were processed in addition to an equal number of state returns and many amended filings from last and prior years.

The Tax-Aide program started in 1968 and, since 1980, has operated under a cooperative agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Across the nation more than 35,000 IRS-certified volunteers provide this service at nearly 8,500 sites. 

Tax codes are forever changing and generally becoming more complex.  Just to name a few affecting the individual filer, carrying over in part from last year, are a number of items from the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” such as the “Making Work Pay Credit,” extension of the first-time homebuyer credit (plus the addition of a credit for those that purchase new homes), a change to the “standard” deduction of a sales tax addition for a new car purchase, and the return of credits for residential energy improvements.  For the wage earner the Earned Income Credit has been expanded again and the favorable enhancement of the child tax credit continues.  For the retiree, the limits on conversion of traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs have again been lifted; but the required minimum distribution returns.  For the student, enhanced deductions for education expenses have been extended.  And with no estate tax in 2010, the sale of an asset inherited in 2010 may have a very different cost basis than previous.

Individuals interested in the Tax-Aide program should bring all 2010 tax forms (W-2s, 1099s, brokerage statements, etc.), Social Security and other official identification, and their 2009 return, if possible.

There is no charge for the Tax-Aide service. To make an appointment, call 203-669-5236. For more information and other Tax-Aide locations in Connecticut call 1-888-227-7669 or go to www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Darien Library is located at 1441 Post Road, Darien, Conn.