Free tax assistance continues

As tax deadlines get closer, Tax-Aide sites continue to provide assistance 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.

Find a nearby Tax-Aide site in the listings below, or 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.

All listed sites are staffed by volunteers using donated space, so 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.

NE Muldoon Community Center, 1251 North Muldoon Road. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

Redemption Church, 4607 E. 6th Ave. (Not wheelchair accessible.) Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m.

Spenard Rec Center, 2020 West 48th Ave. Mondays, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Crosspoint Community Church, 1920 West Dimond (next to JoAnn Fabrics). Fridays, 2 to 5 p.m. and Sat., March 30, 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. Tuesday, March 19 and Saturday, April 6.

University Center, 3901 Old Seward Highway (south end of the mall). Saturday, April 13, 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. (Closed March 25); Call 376-3104 for appointment; walk-ins also welcome.

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, March 19 and April 2, 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. Tues., March 5 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, March 12, 26 and April 9, 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. Walk-ins welcome.

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

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bunnell 319 (The Nook). Saturdays, March 2, 23, 30, April 6 and 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kenai Peninsula

Homer

Homer United Methodist, 770 E. End Rd. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments available, call 299-4231 or email HomerTaxAide@gmail.com

Soldotna

Soldotna Library, 235 N. Binkley St. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. By appointment only, call 907-420-4308

Southeast

Juneau

Juneau Library VITA, 292 Marine Drive. Tuesdays, 3 to 6:30 p.m. (Except March 19) and “Super Saturdays,” March 30 and April 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additional sites may be added. Check online.

Ketchikan

Ketchikan Public Library, 1110 Copper Ridge Lane. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last day is April 13.

Metlakatla

Tongass Federal Credit Union, 910 Milton Street. By appointment; call 228-8653.

Sitka

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

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

Wrangell

Nolan Center, 1096 Outer Drive. Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Last day is April 13.