Free tax help offered in Alexandria

Free income tax assistance and e-filing are again available for middle- and low-income taxpayers, and senior citizen taxpayers in Alexandria.

Free TaxAide assistance will continue through April 15. The AARP TaxAide site in Alexandria is at the Alexandria Senior Center and appointments can be made by calling (320) 762-2087. Taxpayers who need free income tax assistance must bring 2009 tax returns, 2010 W-2s, 1099 interest, dividend and pension forms, 1099SSA and other information related to 2010 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 the 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 2011. Property tax statements should be available by the end of March 2011. Household income limits may apply.

For more information, contact TaxAide counselors at the Alexandria Senior Center. Sponsors of the TaxAide Program are AARP, IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Tags: news, taxes