AARP Offers Free Tax Help in Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill senior citizens can use the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program to get free assistance preparing basic federal and state income tax returns.

The services, hosted by the , are open to both low- and middle-income taxpayers with special attention given to those aged 60 and older. Services are offered at the library on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., however an appointment is required. Those wishing to use the free, face-to-face service with trained and IRS-certified volunteers need to call the senior center to set up an appointment at 860-668-8830.

The AARP provides the following advice for people using the service:

If married, both spouses should be present during an income tax counseling session. Taxpayers must have available all information and documents that have been received that apply to their 2011 income taxes including: 

• Proof of identity (picture or other documentation).
• All income statements that apply to the taxpayers.
• Social Security number (Social Security card or Benefit Statement-Form SSA-1099) for taxpayer and all dependents.
• Copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns.
• Personal check, if available, if direct depositing tax refund, with bank checking account & routing numbers.

Most returns are filed online, allowing a quick turnaround on tax refunds for those using the service.

AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) provides free tax assistance services at 93 different locations in Connecticut. More than 500 volunteers participated in the program’s Connecticut offerings in 2011, providing free tax assistance to more than 30,000 state residents.

The Tax-Aide program is offered in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service. The AARP Foundation is an unaffiliated, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization. To find other locations offering the Tax-Aide program, and for more information about the services, visit the AARP’s website.