News

Tax help at local libraries

Posted March 17, 2009 11:00 pm

By Gilbert R. Boucher II

Francine Duke, a certified financial planner from Lincolnshire, helps Norman and Rochelle Kramer of Lincolnshire fill out their tax forms. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

It is that dreaded time of year again when all working Americans begin the process of filing out their taxes.

But for seniors, there is help on the way, and it can be found at their local libraries.

Every Monday through April 15, AARP TaxAide volunteers can be found at the Vernon Area Library from 1 to 4 p.m. helping area seniors with their tax preparation. The volunteers help about 200 people during tax season and appointments are required because of the large number.

"The volunteers go through two weeks of training in January and then have to pass a test to qualify to do the taxes," said Dick Weckerlin, a 15-year volunteer with AARP TaxAide. "I do this because I like to help people, mostly."

The AARP Tax-Aide program was created to meet the need to help low- and middle-income taxpayers prepare and file their income tax returns with the IRS, free of charge. Every year, from Feb. 1 through April 15, trained and certified volunteers prepare federal tax returns for taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest, free volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service. With the help of more than 32,000 volunteers nationwide, the AARP Tax-Aide program provides free tax preparation and assistance services to millions of senior taxpayers. Last year, AARP TaxAide helped nearly 1.94 million individuals prepare and file their federal income taxes.

"They are wonderful. I have been coming here for over ten years," said Rita Geller of Grayslake as she walked out with her completed tax forms. "They are very knowledgeable and they help me. I don't have problems when I come here. I just bring the paperwork and they do it all."

The following sites also offer AARP TaxAide now through April 15:

• Antioch Public Library: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Ela Area Public Library: Saturdays, 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• Fremont Public Library: Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 3 p.m.

• Fox Lake Public Library: Tuesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Grayslake Area Public Library: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Libertyville Civic Center: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Vernon Area Public Library: Mondays, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Warren-Newport Public Library: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon

• Wauconda Area Public Library: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

For more information, go to aarp.org/taxaide. AARP Tax-Aide can also be contacted by phone at 1-888-AARP-NOW or write to: AARP Tax-Aide, 601 E. Street NW, Washington DC 20049-1214.

AARP volunteer Theresa Bruckhauser of Kildeer answers a tax question for Rita Geller of Grayslake as seniors receive help from AARP volunteers with their taxes at the Vernon Area Library in Lincolnshire. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

Roberta Brownstein of Vernon Hills, left, and her daughter Sheri Chebny of Lake Villa receive help from AARP volunteers Nancy Janssen and Dick Weckerlin. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

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