Free Tax Assistance from AARP

Free income tax assistance will be available at several locations in Tioga County on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment is necessary. The program is designed for taxpayers age 60 and over, but no one with low income will be turned away.

Taxpayers are asked to bring the following forms with them: 1997 tax returns, 1998 tax forms, and all W-2, 1099, and any other statements reflecting their 1998 income and tax deductible expenses (such as receipts of property tax, charity donations, medical care expenses, etc.).

Taxpayers should be aware that federal and state credits are available for low income people that not only reduce the tax burden but in many cases provide payments when no tax is due. Earned Income Credit may be claimed if earnings and adjusted gross income do not exceed $26,473 with one child and $30,095 with two children. Credit on a smaller scale is also available for taxpayers without children with earned income below $10,030 and between 25 and 65 years old.

New York State also provides tax or rent relief to qualifying residents via the IT-214 Return.

Taxpayers who owe no tax are urged to check in at one of the sites to see if filing might result in a refundable credit.

Counselors, many of whom are retired professionals with years of tax preparation experience, are trained by the Internal Revenue Service and will be at the sties until mid April.

In addition, tax preparation assistance will be available at the home of people who are unable to leave their residences for health reasons. For an appointment or more information, call 625-4607.

Walk-In Tax Help Sites

Open now through Mid-April

Apalachin

Albank, Tioga Plaza, Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm

Candor

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 17 Main St., Mondays, 9:30am -1pm

Newark Valley

First Congregatinal Church, Wednesdays, 9am - Noon

Owego

United Way Office, 59 Church St., Mondays & Wednesdays, 10am - 2pm

Countryside Community Center, Sheldon Guile Boulevard, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am - 2pm

Waverly

Free Library, Elizabeth Square, Teusdays and Thursdays, 11am to 3pm