The deadline for filing our federal tax returns is two weeks away and Iowans who need a hand completing the chore can get free help from the A-A-R-P Foundation. Lynette Lee-Villanueva, is vice president of the foundation’s Tax-Aide program, which has more than three-dozens sites across Iowa. Lee-Villanueva says, “We help individuals who are lower-to-moderate income and specifically those who are over the age of 50 but we do serve all ages.”

The program boasts 41 locations in Iowa this spring that are staffed by a total of more than 200 trained, certified volunteers. “You can find a site either through our website, which is aarp.org/findtaxhelp, or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-AARP-NOW,” Lee-Villanueva says. “In both instances, you’ll be asked to put in your ZIP code and you will then find a site that is nearest to you.” Iowans who are seeking tax help should bring along a photo I-D and the Social Security numbers of everyone who will be included on the return.

She says some people literally bring in all of their financial information in a shoebox. “We ask that you bring in your income statements for the year, your W-2, your 10-99, whatever form that is in, and then of course your shoebox of expenses or receipts you might have as well,” Lee-Villanueva says. “We also ask if you have last year’s tax return, that you bring that with you. It helps our volunteers to get an idea of what your previous year’s return looked like.”

This is the 48th year for the AARP’s Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax help program. People do not need to be a member of AARP or a senior citizen to use the service.

(Radio Iowa)