AARP volunteers offer free tax preparation
It's that time again - tax season.
And for those who cannot afford to have their taxes done, there is help available. The AARP Volunteer Tax-Aide program assists individuals and families who are low- to middle-income, as well as seniors age 60 or older, prepare their income tax, rent credit and property tax refund forms. The service is free and offered at several locations in the Brainerd lakes area at different times and days through April 15. Sites are located in Brainerd, Crosby, Crosslake and Pequot Lakes.
"It's great, convenient and the price is right," Lowell and Donna Horton of Brainerd said Tuesday after getting their taxes done through the AARP service at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center on Kingwood Street in Brainerd. This is the fourth year they've had AARP help them with their taxes.
The Hortons were happy with their result - they don't have to pay in any additional tax. In fact, they'll receive a $25 state refund on the new low-income motor fuels tax credit. The credit is available for individuals and families in the state's lowest income tax bracket.
Don Rasmussen (right), AARP Volunteer Tax-Aide district coordinator and volunteer, Tuesday helped Tom and Ellie Dechmann with their taxes at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, located off Kingwood Street in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
If you go
What: AARP tax preparation sites where volunteers help seniors and low- to middle-income people fill out their tax forms at no cost.
Sites:
Brainerd Public Library, noon to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. No appointments necessary.
Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Appointments of walk-ins are welcome by calling 829-9345.
Central Lakes College, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 1-3 p.m. Thursdays. Appointments only by calling 855-8158.
Pequot Lakes Public Library, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday and then from noon to 4 p.m. the following Thursdays. Appointments only by calling (218) 568-6181.
Jessie F. Hallett Library in Crosby, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Appointments only by calling (218) 546-8005.
Crosslake Community Center, 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays. Appointments only by calling (218) 692-4271.
RSVP office 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays by appointment only by calling 824-1345.
Don Rasmussen, district coordinator of the AARP Volunteer Tax-Aide program, said the new state tax credit is a great way for anyone who qualifies to receive $25. Rasmussen said a person does not have to own a car or have a driver's license to qualify for this credit. Rasmussen said the income requirements for the low-income motor fuels tax credit are $33,220 for a married couple filing jointly; $22,730 for a single filing; $27,980 for a head of a household; and $16,610 for a married person filing separately.
Rasmussen, who has coordinated the AARP service sites in Crow Wing County for three years and has been an AARP volunteer for eight years, said the tax service is a good program for seniors and for those who do not have the money to spend $200 to get their taxes done.
Rasmussen said last year 2,645 people used AARP's service. This year, Rasmussen said there will be just as many or more people who'll need the service.
Rasmussen said the AARP Volunteer Tax-Aide program is a national service that began in 1976. Brainerd started the program shortly after 1976. Rasmussen said the program does not serve businesses or high income individuals.
"A majority of the people we help are low income," said Rasmussen. "Last year the average income was $19,000 (which does not include Social Security)."
Tom and Ellie Dechmann of Nisswa, who also had their taxes done Tuesday at the senior center, have had their taxes done through AARP since 2005. Tom Dechmann said the service is helpful because the volunteers remind them about potential deductions they'd normally forget to address if they completed the tax forms on their own.
Rasmussen said AARP volunteers can help people with the 2009 car sales tax credit and the property income tax credit to help people get as much out of their tax returns as possible. Rasmussen said those who have purchased a 2009 vehicle are encouraged to bring in their purchase agreement to qualify for the car sales tax credit.
Rasmussen reminds people who want to use this program to make sure they bring in all their tax form information, plus their contributions to nonprofit charities.
Rasmussen said this year there are 29 volunteers, all are certified to help people with their taxes. People who want to volunteer for the AARP program have to pass a test and complete educational classes.
Herm Schley, 73, East Gull Lake, has volunteered for the program for the past 16 years. He is a former district coordinator of the program. He volunteers at the Brainerd site and the Pillager site in Cass County.
"I had early retirement and I needed something to do in the winter," said Schley, who was volunteering at the senior center. "I like numbers and used to be in finance, so it fits in with my interest.
"It's satisfying to help all the people who don't know how to do their taxes."
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.