Free tax help available

Volunteers have been trained and certified by the IRS and the state of Minnesota to assist in preparing federal and state income tax returns.

Help to prepare state property tax or renters refund will also be available. This program is co-sponsored by the IRS, state of Minnesota and AARP.

Persons of all ages are welcome to the following handicap accessible sites. Bring social security cards (tax forms will be adjusted by federal and state if incorrect social security numbers and amounts have been given to counselors), W-2s, 1099s, last year's tax forms, child care expenses and any other information needed to complete tax forms.

1999 property tax refund requires 2000 property tax statement for homeowners and 1999 CRPs for renters' refund.

For more information about this service, contact Patty Herheim, Cass County district coordinator, at 682-2596, or any of the counselors listed below.

Sites will be open Feb. 1 through April 15.

-- Akeley, 1-5 p.m. Mondays, Senior Citizen Building. Ruth Ziesmer, 652-2470; Ed Mergens, 547-1098.

-- Backus, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Backus City Hall. Warren Mars, 675-6934.

-- Cass Lake, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Cass Lake Municipal Center. Dick Brown, 836-2305; Dorothy Collins, 335-0123.

-- Emily 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 2 and 16, March 1, 15, 29, April 12.

-- Outing, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 12 and 26, March 11 and 25, April 8. Marie Reineck, 763-2203. Appointments during week by appointment only.

-- Hackensack, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, Senior Citizen Building. Al Hoover, 675-6839; Al Mitton, 682-2071; Carolyn Rude, 547-2085.

-- Longville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays, Longville Area Family Center (behind the elementary school). Mary Jacobson, 363-2149; Darlene Osterholtz, 566-4477.

-- Pillager, by appointment only. Arlyss Marshall, 746-3915.

-- Pine River, 3:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Pine River/Backus Family Center. Call 587-4999 for appointment, Marilyn Marcellus. Bruce Winder, 587-2752.

--Remer, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 15 and 29, Northland Apartments; March 7, 14, 21 and 28, April 4 and 11, Town Hall. Ira Smart, 889-2363; Gene Ingalls, 568-2596.