Free income tax assistance available

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Free income tax assistance and e-filing is again available for middle- and low-income taxpayers and senior citizen taxpayers.

Free TaxAide assistance will continue through April 15, 2010.

The TaxAide site in Alexandria is at the Alexandria Senior Center and appointments can be made Monday through Friday by calling (320) 762-2087.

Taxpayers who need free income tax assistance need to bring 2008 tax returns, 2009 W-2s, 1099 interest, dividend and pension forms, 1099SSA and other information related to 2009 taxes.

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 taken out of their pay during the year.

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

Minnesota taxpayers with children in grades K-12 can 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 who file or are not required to file federal or state income tax returns may qualify for the Minnesota Property Tax refund. Renters will need to bring their certificate(s) of rent paid (CRPs) issued by their landlords and homeowners need to bring their statement of property taxes payable in 2010. Property tax statements should be available by the end of March 2010. Household income limits may apply.

Questions should be addressed to TaxAide counselors at the Alexandria Senior Center. Sponsors of the TaxAide program are AARP, IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue.

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