With holidays behind us, Tax-Aide is coming to the rescue
Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 12, 2019
By Mark Harvey
Presumably, most of us have the holidays behind us. OK, there may still be a few unidentified leftovers behind the milk, and the unsolicited fruitcake may not be completely composted — but most of it is in the rearview.
And as that simple truth begins to dawn on us (well … that, and the fact that we dated the last two checks 2018), we slowly begin to realize what we need more than anything, and I’m happy to announce that I’m bringing it to you today:
Hope.
Because you, like me, are beginning to understand what comes next: taxes! And what comes with taxes? Right: Tax-Aide!
So let’s begin with what you want to know the most, which is when and where. Beginning Saturday, Feb. 2, Tax-Aide volunteers will be available:
• At the Aberdeen Timberland Library, Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and on the third Saturdays of February and March, also from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• At the Ocean Shores Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• At the Ocean Park Timberland Library, Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• At the Raymond Timberland Library, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of February and March, amd on the second Saturday of April.
• At the McCleary Timberland Library, from 3 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month through April 4; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month through April 6.
Those of us who have been at this for a while are doing our Happy Dances, knowing that, once again, we’ll be snatched from the jaws of the federal government! Newbies among us may be thinking: “What is he talking about?!” Fair enough.
Tax-Aide comes to our tax-related rescue every year, about this time. They are a hard-core group of highly trained, IRS-certified genetic anomalies (volunteers!) who help us electronically file simple tax returns — at no charge.
The Tax-Aide program is sponsored by the IRS and the AARP Foundation, but no association with AARP is required or relevant for participation. If you have income from rental properties or have a complicated business return, this is probably not the service for you; but for the rest of us: yes!
Here’s what you actually need to do:
Please remember that these folks are always inundated at the front end of tax season, so you might want to kick back for a bit … or bring a sandwich, a good book and your patience.
Tax-Aide volunteers are required to check your photo ID and your original Social Security card. (I know we always advise against carrying that “original” around, but consider this the lesser of evils.) Bring last year’s tax return and all of your W-2s, 1099s, 1095s (health insurance documentation) and any other documents you think might be necessary.
If you expect a refund and you want it direct-deposited into your bank account, bring your checkbook or some other bank document that shows the bank account numbers (Yes, it does have to be something “official” — this is the IRS, remember?)
When you get to the Tax-Aide site, you’ll have to complete a formidable IRS Intake Form. Do your best with it, and don’t freak! The volunteers will be glad to help you through it.
I know what you’re thinking, because I thought the same thing: What about the “new” tax law? Tax-Aide told me the two major changes are (1) no more 1040EZ form, and (2) an increase in standard deductions. Anything else will be explained during the actual preparation of your return.
That’s it.
Well, we could all stand to remember this: These Tax-Aide volunteers aren’t getting paid to do this. They’re giving away large chunks of their lives in order to help us, so it wouldn’t hurt us to let them know that we appreciate it!
Also, remember this: These guys didn’t write the tax laws, so if we have opinions on the topic, taking it out on them won’t help — but a smile probably would.
Mark Harvey is the director of information and assistance for the Olympic Area Agency on Aging. He can be reached by email at harvemb@dshs.wa.gov; by phone at 360-532-0520 in Aberdeen, 360-942-2177 in Raymond, or 360-642-3634; or through Facebook at Olympic Area Agency on Aging-Information & Assistance.
