Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

January 25, 2007 issue

Free Income Tax Assistance Available at Senior Centers

The AARP Tax-Aide Program, in cooperation with the IRS and NC Department of Revenue, will again offer free tax preparation for seniors, as well as low- and middle-income taxpayers. Electronic filing (E-file) is available for safe and accurate preparation and fast refunds.

The Tax-Aide program will run from February 6 to April 10. Counselors will be at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone on Tuesdays; dates for the Western Watauga Community Center in Cove Creek will be announced. Call the L.E. Harrill Center at 828-265-8090 or the Western Watauga Center at 828-297-5195 to make an appointment.

Taxpayers should bring the following documents:

• Social Security cards and identifications for taxpayer and all dependents

• Last year’s (2005) tax return

• W-2 forms from each employer

• 1099 forms for Social Security, pension, interest and dividends, broker/mutual fund income

• Detailed list of expenses for medical, charities, taxes, interest, if claiming itemized deductions

• A blank check for direct deposit of any refund to a checking or savings account

Eligibility criteria for free tax preparation are as follows:

• You should not have any of the following types of income: rental, partnership, business requiring Schedule C, royalties and sale of home or business. If your tax return is relatively complex, you will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.

• You must be a Watauga County resident.

• Tax preparers will file federal and NC returns. No out-of-state returns will be done.

An important note for this year only…

The IRS will refund federal excise taxes paid on long-distance telephone service billed between February 2003 and August 2006. The refund will be $30 to $60, depending on the number of exemptions claimed on the tax return. Therefore, taxpayers who did not have to file a return in previous years because of income limitations should file a return this year to claim the telephone refund.