AARP volunteer tax preparers will be starting to do free tax returns for citizens in February. They have all been providing this service for many years (L-R, sitting) Ken Wielinski (11 years), Steve Deschene (5 years), Tom Fredeen (1 year). (L-R, standing) Loretta Flickinger (4 years), Chuck Flickinger (10 years) and Bev Pratt (10 years). Other volunteers not pictured are Alta McQuatters (5 years) and Tracy Benson (5 years).
The AARP TaxAide Volunteers are ready once again to help members of the community with their 2014 state and federal returns and their Minnesota property tax and rent refund forms. In most cases the volunteers can E-file for taxpayers.
The AARP volunteers can help in a variety of ways, including amending previous returns if a mistake was made or an omission occurred. Volunteer Steve Deschene explained, “For example, when same sex marriage was recognized by the IRS in 2013 same sex couples could file as married filing jointly for the previous three years [if married all those years] which usually results in less tax owed.”
Volunteers can also help taxpayers estimate next year’s payment or refund; can print out the appropriate Estimated Tax Vouchers for taxpayers to use in 2015; and can help taxpayers understand how to respond to letters from the IRS or Minnesota Department of Revenue. “We can evaluate if they really do owe more money and can help write the reply letters for the taxpayer,” said Deschene.
The volunteers take people on a first come first serve basis.
Tax Preparation begins Tuesday, February 3 and will continue through April 15.
Tax Volunteers will be at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the Grand Portage Community Center on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Deschene said, “We look forward to meeting and helping you with your taxes.”
Anyone with questions is asked to call Chuck Flickinger (218) 475-2776 or Steve Deschene at (218) 387-1767.
What to bring for tax preparation
. Social Security Cards
. Photo ID (if it’s your first time for AARP tax preparation)
. W-2 forms if employed or 1099R & Social Security payment forms if retired
. Interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), or stock transaction forms (1099B)
. Any other documents sent to you for tax returns (W2-G, 1099-MISC,
1098s, etc.)
. Receipts for charitable giving, medical expenses, self-employment income
and expenses, mortgage expenses, property tax records
. ACA health insurance documents (i.e. 1095-A form)
. A copy of last year’s federal and Minnesota tax returns, if you have them.
. 2014 certificate of rent paid or property tax statement for 2015
Leave a Reply