TAX HELP FOR SENIORS AVAILABLE

Tax help for senior citizens will be available at a number of sites throughout Southeast Missouri, including three in Cape Girardeau and two at Jackson.

The American Association of Retired Persons tax-aide group will provide tax preparers starting in early February.

The group will assist low-to-moderate income individuals with their state and federal tax forms.

Members of the group will be at the Salvation Army Building, 701 Good Hope in Cape Girardeau, each Monday from 9 to noon Monday through April 12. The group will be at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark, each Monday except Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The third Cape Girardeau location is the Senior Center, 921 N. Clark, each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon starting Feb. 3.

Help is available at the Riverside Regional Library, 204 S. Union in Jackson, each Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. starting Monday and at the Senior Center, 402 E. Washington in Jackson, each Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Individuals seeking help must bring last year's tax forms along with W2 and 1099 forms, SS, SSI and interest dividends from 1998.

Preparers help seniors with rebates for property tax or rent paid for eligible people.

AARP tax-aide teams will visit communities throughout Southeast Missouri at various times through April 15. Other sites and dates:

-- Advance: First and third Fridays, Senior Center, 9 a.m. to noon starting Feb. 5.

-- Chaffee: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Chaffee Library, starting Tuesday.

-- Charleston: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Senior Center, starting Tuesday.

-- East Prairie: Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon, Senior Center, starting Monday.

-- Marble Hill: First and third Mondays, Senior Center, 9 a.m. to noon, starting Monday.

-- New Madrid: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Senior Center, starting Feb. 4.

-- Oran: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oran Housing Community Room, starting Feb. 11.

-- Patton: Tuesdays, Patton Saddle Club Building, 9 a.m. to noon, starting Feb. 9.

-- Portageville: Wednesdays, Community Building-Senior Center, 9 a.m. to noon, starting Feb. 3.

-- Scott City: Second and fourth Thursdays, Senior Center, 9 a.m. to noon, starting Feb. 11.

-- Sikeston: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon, Heritage House Senior Center, starting Feb. 4.