AARP Foundation Tax-Aid provides free tax assistance and preparation

Press release

Tax season is here and if people are in need of assistance in filing their taxes, AARP Foundation Tax Aid can help. From Feb. 3 through the tax season, volunteers, trained in cooperation with the IRS, offer free tax assistance and preparation for people with low to moderate income of all ages with special attention to those age 60 and older.

There are 3200 volunteers at 420 sites in just the Northwest Region. Havre has five volunteers who helped 260 taxpayers last year. The volunteers are knowledgeable about many aspects of tax law, including the Affordable Care Act and its impact on tax returns. They can help prepare and electronically file federal Montana state returns, usually in one visit, If people are not sure they need to file, want to know if they qualify for Montana’s Elderly Home owner/Renter Credit — people need to be 62 or older — or just have questions about taxes, they can contact this service. Best of all, this service if free. Last year alone, 177 AARP Foundation Tax-Aid volunteers helped nearly 12,500 taxpayers at over 27 sites across Montana file their taxes. People do not need to be retired or a member of AARP for this service.

For an appointment, call Havre’s North Central Senior Citizen's Center at 265-5464. Days are Mondays and Tuesdays starting Feb. 3 through the tax season. Bring social security card, last years taxes, and all forms needed to prepare taxes. Taxpayers 62 and older need to bring real estate taxes for their home or a signed letter with amount of rent from their landlord for the year.