Free income tax counseling offered

East Missouri Action Agency Inc. is currently sponsoring a program that provides free tax counseling and assistance to people age 60 and over. It is called the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program.

Volunteers are specially trained by the IRS to help older Americans with tax credits for the elderly, their personal exemptions and the proper method of reporting pension income and paying taxes on it when necessary. These volunteers will also help these taxpayers fill out their tax returns and e-file them.

Another service that TCE volunteers provide to the elderly is helping them determine if they qualify for the Missouri Property Tax Credit (MO-PTC). The MO-PTC is a credit from the state of Missouri targeted for the elderly and disabled. This credit provides a partial refund of either their real estate property tax or rent paid during the previous tax year.

Call the local EMAA office at 334-5533 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The program begins today.