Free Tax Help Available at 36 Sites Throughout Alaska

from: AARP Alaska | January 30, 2012

In 2011, 35,000 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers at more than 6,100 Tax-Aide sites throughout the country provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $233 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). In Alaska, there are 36 sites set up for the tax preparation season, which ends April 17.

Find a Tax Aide Location Near You or call 1-888-227-7669
Tips for Your Appointment with AARP Tax Aide

See Also: Taxes – Your frequently asked questions

The Tax-Aide program is designed to prepare basic tax returns for most low and middle income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers trained by the Internal Revenue Service to prepare basic tax returns. Volunteers receive training on the Earned Income Credit and other personal tax credits. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers help an average of 89 people file their taxes. By using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, these taxpayers also avoided tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or refund loans. And the service is free.

In February and March, there will be two “Super Saturday” events in Anchorage.

On Feb. 11, a “Super Saturday” event is scheduled at the Salvation Army Community Center, 1701 C Street in Anchorage from 10 am – 4 pm.

On March 31, a second “Super Saturday” will be held at Crosspoint Church, 1920 Dimond from 10 am – 4 pm. So, what is a “Super Saturday?”

While income tax returns are being prepared, information is available on programs and services that benefit low- to moderate-income, elderly and disabled taxpayers. “Super Saturday” is a “one-stop shop” of valuable information for Alaskans during tax preparation season.

Taxpayers need to bring the following with them to a Tax-Aide site:

Social security cards or current records of Social Security numbers for you, your spouse and your dependents
All income information (such as Forms W-2, 1099-Misc, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 and 1099R)
Form 1099-G or record of unemployment received and any federal tax withheld from unemployment
Property tax and mortgage interest statements
List of your medical, interest, contributions, and miscellaneous expenses to itemize your deductions
Copies of last year's tax return. This helps the Tax-Aide volunteer prepare this year's return
Child care payment information and the name, address and Social Security number/Employer Identification number of your child care provider
Bank routing and account number for direct deposit.