AARP Tax Aide available beginning in February

AARP is once again getting prepared to help the residents of Big Spring and Howard County with their income taxes. All preparers are currently in training so they can begin offering services on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.

“We help mainly senior citizens, but we can also help low-income families,” says Ray Alexander, local coordinator. “On Monday, Feb. 3, our AARP IRS contract goes into effect, and we’ll offer services every Monday through the first Monday in April.”

If you need help with your taxes, you can stop by the Senior Citizens Center, located at 100 Whipkey Dr., from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Alexander states that in order to prepare your taxes, you must provide the following:

• Any tax forms (W-2, 1099, royalties, etc)

• Social Security card is required. Taxes cannot be prepared without a social security card.

• Picture ID

He also says that all preparers pass certification, and all taxes are double-checked by reviewers, who have also been certified, for accuracy prior to filing. There are no income requirements in order to received these services being offered.

“We will e-file for you, and you can choose whether to get a check sent to you, or direct deposit,” states Alexander. “Just bring all your banking information if you want direct deposit.”

Continues Alexander, “We estimate that we save the people of this area approximately $200 to $250

per tax return. That’s about the going rate to prepare taxes. So if we prepare 200 tax returns, we save approximately $40,000 to $50,000 to area residents.”

The following dates are when AARP will be set up at the Senior Citizen Center:

Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, and April 6.

For more information, please feel free to stop by the Senior Citizen Center, or call Alexander at 432212-3533.

Contact Staff Writer Anna Gutierrez at 432-2637331 ext. 232, or by email at citydesk@bigspringherald.com