Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
February 5, 2008

Tax Assistance

Filing tax returns isn't fun or easy, but trained volunteers are available to help you at no charge if you need it.

Trained community volunteers can help you with special credits for which you may qualify but haven't applied for, such as Credit for the Elderly, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Child Tax Credit.

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older.  Trained volunteers from non-profit organizations provide free tax counseling and basic income tax return preparation for senior citizens.  Volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. (AARP offers this assistance at the sites noted "AARP" on the list below.)

In addition, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers free tax help to those with low- to moderate-income (generally, $40,000 and below) who cannot prepare their own tax returns. (They're marked "VITA" on the list below.)

Over and above the free tax return preparation assistance, several sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster if you have your refund deposited directly into your bank account. (Shown as "E-filing" on the list below.)

Appointments are necessary at most sites, so call the nearest one on the following list for available times. They're available through the April 15 tax deadline: 

• Asbury UM Church  4703 W. Ridge Rd., Erie (833-7513) AARP, VITA ,E-filing
• Edinboro Municipal Bldg.  124 Meadville St., Edinboro (734-5673) AARP, VITA
• Erie Ctr. on Health & Aging  406 Peach St., Erie (453-5072) AAR, VITA, E-filing
• Erie General Electric FCU  2154 E. Lake Rd., Erie (456-6231) VITA 
• Girard Municipal Bldg.  34 Main St. W.,Girard (774-9683) AARP
• Glenwood UM Church  2931 Myrtle St., Erie (456-6268) AARP, E-filing
• Harborcreek Municipal Bldg.  5601 Buffalo Rd., Harborcreek (899-3171) AARP, VITA, E-filing
• Martin Luther King Center  312 Chestnut St., Erie (459-2761) VITA
• Mercy Center on Aging  444 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie (824-2214) AARP, E-filing
• Millcreek Twp. Municipal Bldg.  3608 W. 26th St., Erie (833-1111) AARP
• Northwestern Elementary School  John Williams Dr., Albion (756-9400) VITA
• Northwestern Senior Center  9 Academy St., Albion (756-5373) AARP
• Salvation Army Senior Ctr.  1022 Liberty St., Erie (454-6497) AARP
• Summit Senior Center  1450 Townhall Rd., Erie (868-9686) AARP, E-filing
• Tri-Boro Senior Center  7555 Main St., Fairview (474-2211) AARP

Make sure you bring documents such as Social Security cards, your 2007 W-2's showing wages and earnings, 2007 forms 1099 for interest/dividend, Social Security and pension income, any other income records from 2007, bank account numbers and other documents related to tax filings. If filing jointly, your spouse has to come along to sign.

Tax time doesn't have to be stressful. If you need help, please take advantage of this free service.

As always, if you have questions on this or any state government matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at 814-453-2515.