‘Tis the Season

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax assistance in Southeast Missouri

It’s that time of year: tax season.

The AARP and IRS are, for the 51st year, providing free tax preparation in more than 5,000 locations across the U.S. through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Southeast Missouri is home to nine of those locations. Although the program is geared toward low-income seniors, anyone of any age or income level is welcome to utilize it. The program is funded by the AARP and IRS, organizations that provide the computers, software, printers and paper for the service.

“These tax returns that we do here are basically simple tax returns, but they would still probably cost a minimum of $100-$300,” says Larry Berkbuegler, local coordinator for the Cape Girardeau Public Library and Senior Center AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has been volunteering with the program for seven years. “Most of the people can’t afford that. So we just provide the service and do it for them, and they’re very appreciative of it.”

It’s a popular service, too. The Cape Girardeau Public Library is one location for the program; Katie Hill, library director, says during one morning of the second week, the line was outside the library door as the program opened its doors to clients.

“It’s a natural partnership,” Hill says of why the library is happy to provide the space for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. “We already have people coming to our location, to the library, to get that type of help, whether it’s help learning how to woodwork or whether it’s how to cook, so why not get help with your taxes?”

Stephane Goldman, who used the tax assistance this year, moved to Cape Girardeau from Louisville, Kentucky, last year. She appreciates having someone with experience available at the event to assist her with the obstacles of tax preparation as she learns to prepare her own taxes in Missouri.

“The first time you move to a new state, it’s nice to be somewhere where people will help you understand how to file, and then next year maybe you can do it on your own,” she says.

There are no appointments to have your taxes filed; customers’ taxes are completed on a first-come, first-serve basis. People can, however, go to the tax preparation site where they want their taxes to be filed and put their name in for a specific day. This must be done in-person, however, not by calling the site.

If getting their taxes completed through the program, clients need to bring all of their income, property tax and social security information with them, along with their picture ID. A volunteer will check to make sure all of the necessary documents are in order.

All the people involved — tax preparers, client facilitators and administrative leaders — are volunteers. Tax preparers must pass a three-day course to become certified, which is offered yearly in November/December.

“It’s rewarding,” says Joanne Broussard of Cape Girardeau, who volunteers as a client facilitator. “It’s a service for the community.”

For more information about volunteering with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide or utilizing their services, visit aarp.org/benefits-discounts/all/aarp-foundation-taxaide/.

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__Need tax preparation assistance?__

Volunteers with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be available at the following times and locations:

__Mondays, through April 8__

Marble Hill Senior Center

9 to 11:30 a.m.

Jackson Senior Center

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Advance General Baptist Church

1:30 to 4 p.m.

__Tuesdays, through April 9__

Chaffee Senior Center

9 to 11:30 a.m.

Benton Riverside Library

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Cape Girardeau Senior Center

6 to 8:30 p.m.

__Wednesdays, through April 10__

Cape Girardeau Public Library

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Jackson Riverside Regional Library

9 to 11:45 a.m.

__Thursdays, through April 11__

Cape Girardeau Public Library

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sikeston Public Library

12:30 to 4 p.m. (except Apr. 4)