Free tax assistance begins in February

February marks the opening of Tax-Aide sites around Alaska. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is designed to prepare basic tax returns and anyone can use the service regardless of age or income.

Sites are staffed by volunteers who are trained and certified by Internal Revenue Service and AARP Foundation instructors to prepare basic tax returns. By using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, these taxpayers also avoid tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or refund loans. And the service is free.

Following are the dates and hours for the sites throughout Alaska. Individuals may also find a nearby Tax-Aide site by visiting http://www.aarp.org/taxaide or calling 1-888-227-7669.

For additional information on “Super Saturday” sites, and “self-assisted” sites, individuals can call the Alaska 211 referral line by dialing 2-1-1 or toll free 1-800-478-2221.

Tax-Aide clients are required to have a photo ID plus Social Security cards for all people named on the tax return, according to Jan Watson, Alaska Prospective Volunteer Specialist for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. She urged people to bring in their tax return from last year, as well.

Without Social Security card information, people may be sent away.

Because of the risk of identity theft, it’s advisable for everyone to file a return, including taxpayers who do not have a filing requirement and don’t usually file.

With the exception of a “Super Saturday” event Jan. 28 at the Northeast Anchorage Boys and Girls Club, Muldoon Mall, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all Tax-Aide sites will open in February. Please note that since locations are staffed by volunteers using donated space, dates and times may change. For the most current information, call the Alaska 211 referral line by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, or find it on the web at http://www.FreeTaxPrepANC.wordpress.com.

Anchorage

Anchorage Senior Activity Center, 1300 East 19th Ave. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Feb. 20 for President’s Day.

NE Muldoon Community Center, 1251 North Muldoon Road. Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

First Free Methodist Church, 4607 East 6th Ave. Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. Spanish interpreter available by phone.

Spenard Rec Center, 2020 West 48th Ave. Tuesdays, 1 to 4 p.m. beginning Feb. 7, but closed Feb. 13-20.

Crosspoint Community Church, 1920 West Dimond (next to JoAnn Fabrics). Fridays, 2 to 5 p.m. and Sat., April 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Credit Union 1 – Mountain View, 115 North Bragaw Street. Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

AARP Alaska State Office, Frontier Building, 3601 C Street, Conference Room 1404. Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

Girdwood, Gerrish Public Library, 250 Egloff Drive, Thursdays, Feb. 16 and March 9, noon to 4:40 p.m .; Saturday, April 1, noon to 4:30 p.m.

University Center, 3901 Old Seward Highway (south end of the mall). Feb. 11 only, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chugiak/Eagle River

Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center, 22424 N. Birchwood Loop Road. Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m .; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mat-Su Valley

Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 376-3104 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome. Closed Feb. 20 and March 27.

Mat-Su Evangelical Church, 5201 East Mayflower Lane (located about Mile 7 Palmer-Wasilla Highway). Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 746-6113 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome.

Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 745-5454 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome.

Houston City Hall, 13878 W. Armstrong Rd. Tuesdays, Feb. 7, 28, March 21 and April 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins accommodated if possible, call 746-6113 for appointments.

Trapper Creek Community Center, Near Mile 115.4 Parks Hwy. Tuesdays, Feb. 14 and March 7 only, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins possible, call for appointment, 746-6113

Upper Su Senior Center, 16463 E. Helena, Sunshine-Talkeetna. Tuesdays, Feb. 21, Mar4ch 14, 28 and April 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins if possible, call for appointment, 746-6113

Fairbanks

Noel Wien Library, 1215 Cowles Street. Saturdays, noon to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays, 4 to 7 p.m. No appointment necessary; walk-ins welcome.

Fairbanks Senior Center, 1424 Moore Street. By appointment only; call 452-1735.

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bunnell 319 (The Nook). Saturdays, Feb. 25, March 11 and 25, April 1 and 8, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Kenai Peninsula

Homer United Methodist, 770 E. End Rd. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments available, call 299-9212

Kenaitze Indian Tribe, 150 North Willow St. (Kenai). By appointment only, 335-7622. Must be eligible to receive services from Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

Seward Community Library, 336 Third Ave. Call 224-9604 for appointment

Southeast

Angoon City Hall Conference Room, 700 Aandeinaatt St., Friday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m .; Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Juneau) Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, 5446 Jenkins Dr. Tuesdays, 3 to 6 p.m .; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 18 and April 15; Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m . Open to all needing help with basic tax return.

(Juneau) Nugget Mall, 8745 Glacier Hwy. Days and time to be determined

Ketchikan Public Library, 1110 Copper Ridge Lane. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kake Senior Center, Friday, Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Klawock Senior Center TV Room, 465 Summit St., Friday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m .; Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Metlakatla Tongass Federal Credit Union. Appointment only. 886-5975

(Sitka) University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave., Room 226. Wednesdays, 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Sitka, Swan Lake Senior Center, 402 Lake Street. Wednesdays, noon to 3:30 p.m. By appointment only; call 747-8617.

Sitka, Baranof Island Housing Authority, 245 Katlian St. Friday, April 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m .; Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saxman, Shaan Hidi Senior Housing, 2401 Eagle Ave., Thursday, March 9 only, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Skagway, Thursday, March 2. Time and location to be announced.

Wrangell, Nolan Center, 1096 Outer Drive. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.

Yakutat, YTT Tribal Building. Friday, March 31, 1 to 6 p.m .; Satruday, April 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What to bring with you

As a taxpayer, you should bring the following documents with you:

• Photo ID for all adult taxpayers

• Social security or ITIN cards for all persons listed on the tax return

• W-2 forms, unemployment compensation, SSA-1099 Social Security, 1099-R pension/annuity, all 1099 forms (INT, DIV, B, MISC)

• A list of all deductible expenses (medical, contributions, mortgage interest, property taxes, medical/business mileage)

• Child care expense information (name/employer, address, EIN/Social Security number)

• Written bank account information for direct deposit

• Last year’s tax return

Bring this health insurance information

• Form 1095A for people who bought from the ACA Marketplace

• A list of who on your tax return had coverage and for which months

• Healthcare.gov exemption certificate number, if you have one

• Taxable income information for dependents listed on the return