Wish you had some help doing taxes this year? The AARP Foundation recently reopened its year-round tax office in Santa Maria. Starting in late April, AARP volunteers will be available two days a month at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria to help taxpayers file past years’ income tax returns free of cost.
“With stepped up tax collection efforts, many taxpayers have recently received letters from the IRS and the state about missing tax returns for as long ago as 10 years,” AARP officials said in a letter to the Sun. “If the letters are not answered and the missing returns not filed, the tax bills can be quite large.”
Volunteers will prepare returns for as far back as 2002, as well as returns for people who recently filed extensions. The volunteers work with the IRS to obtain any missing documents. They can also make referrals to people who have other problems with the IRS and the state, such as large back tax bills and financial hardship.
Though sponsored by AARP, the service doesn’t have any age or income requirements.
“Income tax problems do not respect age or income; AARP is there to help everyone,” Jerry Winkenbach, Santa Maria coordinator for AARP tax aid, said in the letter.
Most volunteer tax preparation sites are only open from late January to mid April. Santa Maria is one of the few sites open year-round in California, the next closest location being Los Angeles.
The Elwin Mussell Senior Center is at 510 E. Park Ave. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the center at 925-0951, Ext. 207. The next available dates are May 14 and 28.
Managing Editor Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Apr 26 – May 3, 2012.