CLEARFIELD – Thirty volunteers are preparing and gearing up for Tax-Aide season in Clearfield County. The volunteers are now in the process of taking the IRS training and testing needed to prepare federal, state and local income taxes for senior citizens age 60 and older and those with low incomes living in Clearfield County through the Tax-Aide program. Sharon Durandetta has assumed the position of district coordinator, a position held by Helen Bloom, who just “retired” from the coordinator position she held for the past six years.
In Clearfield County, the Tax-Aide program was started in 1983. It is administered under the direction of three partners: the IRS, AARP and the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. The IRS provides the bulk of the training, technical support and necessary papers and materials. AARP assumes part of the responsibility for the administration of the program and the establishment of an effective liaison with the IRS officers at the national and regional level. The CCAAA provides staff, technical support and assistance in the selection, housing and managing of volunteer sites as well as recruitment of volunteers. The CCAAA also provides assistance with ongoing media coverage, advertising the program and ensuring that special emphasis has been placed on reaching elderly people who are shut-in, blind or disabled in Clearfield County.
The Clearfield County Tax-Aide program has had electronic filing at their sites for the past four years. Last year they received the “Diamond,” the Margaret Drescher E-File Site Award, given by AARP Foundation for West PA-2 Division for e-filing over 96 percent of the tax forms completed electronically.
The average e-filing rate in Pennsylvania was 57.4 percent.
Those needing assistance from Tax-Aide can do so at:
West Side United Methodist Church
317 Nichols St.
Clearfield
Feb. 5 – April 16
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DuBois Senior and Community Center
120 W. Park Ave.
DuBois
Feb. 5 – April 16
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CMA Church
803 Susquehanna Ave.
Curwensville
Feb. 5 – April 16
Mondays
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Houtzdale Family Service Center
40 Terrace Drive
Apt. 3
Houtzdale
Feb. 7 – April 11
Wednesdays
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dates have been set for the following locations are by appointment only.
Mahaffey Senior Community Center
958 Market St.
Mahaffey
277-4544
March 15
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By appointment only
Coalport Senior Community Center
Glendale Medical Center Complex
850 Rear Main St.
Coalport
672-3574
March 30
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By appointment only
Kylertown Senior Community Center
70 Senior Drive
Kylertown
345-6338
March 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By appointment only
Karthaus Senior Community Center
975 Market St.
Karthaus
263-7277
March 23
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By appointment only
For Tax-Aide assistance, people should bring their current tax records and a copy of last year’s income tax return to the Tax-Aide site. Remember, anyone who has earned more than $35 in taxable income in 2006 must file a Pennsylvania State Income Tax form.
Those who need help or know of someone in need of help in tax preparation should contact Alice Pollock at the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. at 765-2696 or 800-225-8571.
Programs and services of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Mature Resources Foundation and local and client contributions.
