Income tax help available at Senior Center

Free income tax assistance and E-filing is available for moderate and low-income taxpayers and senior citizen taxpayers beginning February 4 through April 11, 2013 at the Alexandria Senior Center

This service is made possible by AARP through volunteer preparers who are trained and must pass IRS testing in order to prepare the returns.

Taxpayers who need free income tax assistance may make an appointment by calling (320) 762-2087. Taxpayers will need to bring their 2011 tax return, 2012 W-2 from employers, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends, 1099-B for brokerage trades in stocks and bonds, 1099-SSA showing social security, 1099-R pension forms, and any other tax information related to 2012 deductible expenses, such as medical and/or charitable, childcare, mortgage interest, etc.

Taxpayers may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is a federal tax benefit for low to moderate income working families as well as a small benefit for some workers without children. Workers who qualify for the EITC and file a federal income tax return may be entitled to a refund, even if no taxes were withheld from their wages during the year.

Minnesota taxpayers eligible for the federal EITC are also eligible for the refundable Minnesota Working Family Credit (WFC).

Minnesota taxpayers with children in grades K-12 may also reduce their taxes or increase their refund with education credits and deductions for their children’s eligible education-related expenses. Receipts are required and household incomes apply.

Minnesota residents may also qualify for the Minnesota Property Tax refund, even if they are not required to file federal or state taxes. Renters will need to bring their Certificate(s) of Rent Paid (CRP) issued by their landlords. Homeowners need to bring their 2013 Property Tax Statement, which is received from the county at the end of March. Household incomes determine the refund amount.

Questions may be addressed to the TaxAide counselors at the Alexandria Senior Center.

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