AARP to begin free tax return service in Fort Mill for all ages starting Feb. 2
On a summer visit to her elderly aunt in Wisconsin, Cindy Marcelais mentioned that the AARP Tax-Aide program was one of her volunteer activities.
“Her face lit up,” said Marcelais, 67, a Fort Mill resident.
“She said, ‘I’ve been having AARP do my taxes for over 30 years. The people are so sharp and so helpful.’ I assured her that was just as true in South Carolina as it is in Wisconsin.”
Marcelais is among the group of about 35 volunteers who prepare state and federal taxes at the Fort Mill Library in Baxter Village, 1818 Second Baxter Crossing, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday from Feb. 2 through April 14. The last client is taken at 3:30 p.m., and tax preparers are IRS certified.
A retired certified public account, Marcelais is in her third season of working for the AARP after preparing returns for a living for 25 years.
“The great thing is that I don’t have to present a bill at the end of the return,” she said.
Most days at the AARP site on the second floor of the Fort Mill Library are busy. When the doors open, there are people waiting to get in. Some will wait a few hours before they see a tax preparer. Customers are served on a first-come basis.
The AARP service isn’t restricted by age or income, though it was established to help senior citizens and those with low incomes.
In the past, preparers have helped seniors, some shaken by the death of a spouse and new responsibilities, as well as young people who have a first job and are saving up for a car. It is especially gratifying, Marcelais said, if she can claim a deduction or credit for which the client didn’t even know he or she was eligible.
“I get great satisfaction in helping someone file who wants to comply with the requirements, but really can’t afford to pay a professional and doesn’t feel comfortable doing it themselves,” she said.
The AARP program limits state returns to North and South Carolina.
For more information, email FortMillTaxes@gmail.com.
Want to know more?
About AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
The program started in 1968 with just four volunteers at one site preparing 100 tax returns. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide now involves more than 35,000 volunteers and serves 2.6 million taxpayers annually at more than 5,000 sites nationwide. For more information, visit aarp.org.
What to bring
The AARP Foundation tax aid program asks you to bring the following items:
▪ Last year's tax return
▪ Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents
▪ Photo identification
▪ Checkbook if you want to direct deposit any refund
Income documentation (as applicable):
▪ W-2 from any employer during 2015
▪ Unemployment compensation statements
▪ SSA-1099 form showing the total Social Security benefits paid to you for the year, or Form RRB-1099, Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits
▪ 1099 forms reporting interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), proceeds from sales (1099-B), as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets
▪ 1099-R form if you received a pension or annuity, especially if you had a portion withheld for income tax purposes
▪ 1099-MISC form showing any miscellaneous income
▪ Information about other forms of income
▪ State or local income tax refund
Payments
▪ You will need to bring all forms and canceled checks indicating federal and state income tax paid (including quarterly estimated tax payments).
Deductions
▪ Most taxpayers have a choice of taking either a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. If you have a substantial amount of deductions, you may want to itemize.
You will need to bring the following information:
▪ 1098 form showing any home mortgage interest
▪ 1098-T and 1098-E forms (Tuition and Student Loan Interest payments)
▪ A list of medical/dental expenses (including doctor and hospital bills and medical insurance premiums), prescription medicines, costs of assisted living services and bills for home improvements such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities
▪ Summary of contributions to charity
▪ Receipts or canceled checks for all quarterly or other paid tax
▪ Property Tax bills and proof of payment
Health Insurance
▪ Form 1095A if you purchased through the Marketplace (Exchange)
▪ Any exemption correspondence from the Marketplace (if applicable)
Credits
▪ Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID or Social Security number)
▪ 1099 forms related to continuing education and related receipts and cancelled checks
Source: AARP
This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 11:05 AM with the headline "AARP to begin free tax return service in Fort Mill for all ages starting Feb. 2."