AARP offers free tax preparation service in Northwest suburbs
The AARP in conjunction with several local organizations is offering free tax preparation at a number of locations in the Northwest suburbs.
Taxpayers can live anywhere in Illinois and do not have to be seniors or low income to use the service, although organizers encourage higher income taxpayers or taxpayers with complicated returns to seek out a paid professional.
Funding is provided by grants from both the IRS and AARP Foundation. Everyone working in the AARP Tax Aide program is a volunteer. AARP offers up to 30 hours of classroom training annually to volunteers, as well as electronic training, and they must pass several tests every year in order to be certified by the IRS to work with taxpayers. There is a coordinator at every site to ensure a smooth experience for everyone.
Nationally, the program filed 1.7 million returns for 2.6 million taxpayers last year.
People must call in advance for appointments, and the service is only available one or two days a week at each site. Among places the service is available are: Alcott Center in Buffalo Grove, (847) 850-2100; Arlington Heights Library, (847) 392-0100; Arlington Heights Senior Center, (847) 253-5532; Des Plaines Library, (847) 827-5551; Elk Grove Village Adult Center, (847) 364-7224; Frisbie Senior Center in Des Plaines, (847) 768-5944; Hanover Township Senior Center, (630) 483-5660; Mount Prospect Senior Center, (847) 870-5680; Palatine Senior Center, (847) 991-1112; Prospect Heights Library, (847) 259-3500; and Wheeling Township, (847) 259-7730.
If filing a joint return, both spouses must be present, or bring a signed financial power of attorney. People must bring the following items: Picture ID and Social Security card, Medicare card, or SSA-1099; copies of all your tax documents for year 2016; copy of your 2015 federal and state income tax forms; receipts and information for all planned itemized deductions (i.e., medical and dental expenses, taxes and interest you paid, gifts to charities and other miscellaneous deductions - please total your receipts before coming), real estate tax bills for property taxes paid in 2016, closing statements for any real estate sold in 2016 (also, original cost of property and cost of any improvements), Social Security SSA-1099 for 2016; railroad retirement forms for 2016, RRB-1099 and RRB-1099R; any Affordable Care Act Forms (i.e. 1095); and bank direct deposit or direct debit information.
All returns will be e-filed, and you will receive a paper copy of your return.