Forty-five volunteers will take their tax preparation test on Jan. 15 to become official Clearfield County Tax-aide volunteer counselors. The volunteers have undergone training given by AARP and the IRS to update their current knowledge and understanding of the new rules and regulations needed for them to prepare federal, state and local income tax forms for Clearfield County residents age 60 and older and those persons with low and middle incomes. The Tax-aide program is administered by 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 offices at a 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 and insuring that special emphasis is placed on reaching elderly people who are shut-in, blind or disabled.
The Tax-aide volunteers are skilled at working with senior tax programs and rebates and with guiding seniors into additional savings programs to help them save money. In addition, the Tax–aide program has been utilizing electronic filing at all their sites in Clearfield County for the past 11 years.
Individuals who need assistance may visit any of the following Tax-Aide sites:
West Side United Methodist Church
317 Nichols St., Clearfield
Feb. 1- April 11, 2013
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
CMA Church
803 Susquehanna Ave., Curwensville
Feb. 4 – April 15
Mondays
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
DuBois Senior and Community Center
120 W. Park Ave., DuBois
Feb. 4 – April 15
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Houtzdale Family Service Center
Apt. 3, 40 Terrace Dr., Houtzdale
Feb. 1 – April 12
Fridays (Closed Good Friday)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The following locations by appointment only:
Mahaffey Center for Active Living
958 Market St., Mahaffey
814-277-4544
April 2
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kylertown and Karthaus Area Gethsemane United Methodist Church
Allport Cut-Off (West Branch)
Contact Kylertown Center for Active Living
814-345-6338
March 21
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Coalport Area
Irvona Boro Building
Irvona, PA
Contact the Coalport Center for Active Living
814-672-3574
April
9
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For Tax-aide assistance, bring a photo ID for yourself and your spouse, your current tax records, a copy of last year’s income tax return and a copy of your 2012 property taxes. If you had your taxes done last year, bring your entire last year’s tax packet with you.
Also, if you purchased energy saving products for your home last year, bring along your sales slip and energy saver receipts for things like new windows, insulation, new stove, refrigerator, furnace, etc.
Remember, anyone who has earned over $35 of taxable income in 2011 must file a Pennsylvania State Income Tax form.
If you need help or know of someone who is in need of help with tax preparation, or you need information on the program, contact the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. at 814-765-2696 or 1-800-225-8571.
Programs and services of the agency are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc., Mature Resources Foundation and local and consumer contributions.