Tax time: Where to get free or low-cost tax help this year

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AARP Foundation/IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)
Tax assistance for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and up.

CAPE GIRARDEAU

Cape Girardeau Public Library
711 N. Clark St.
573-334-5279
1 to 4 p.m. Mondays
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

Cape Girardeau Senior Center
912 N. Clark St.
573-335-1352
9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Thursdays
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

Salvation Army
701 Good Hope St.
573-335-7000
9 a.m. to noon Mondays
E-filing available, appointment required

JACKSON

Jackson Senior Center
2690 Travelers Way
573-243-4241
9 a.m. to noon Thursdays
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

Riverside Regional Library
1929 E. Jackson Blvd.
573-243-8141
Noon to 4 p.m. Mondays
E-filing available, appointment required

CHAFFEE

Chaffee Senior Center
800 S. Main St.
573-887-3600
9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

BENTON

Benton Riverside Regional Library
44 N. Winchester St.
573-545-3581
1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays Feb. 9, Feb. 16, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23 and April 6
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

MARBLE HILL

Marble Hill Nutrition Center
505 3rd St.
573-238-2809
9 a.m. to noon Mondays
E-filing available, appointment required

ADVANCE

Advance Senior Housing
109 N. Tilley St.
573-722-3620
8:30 a.m. to noon Fridays Feb. 18, March 4, March 18, April 1 and April 8
E-filing available, appointment required

PERRYVILLE

Perry County Senior Citizens Center

4 N. Spring St.
573-547-2188
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays
E-filing available, walk-ins welcome

For more details or locations, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit www.irs.gov or www.aarp.org

MORE RESOURCES

East Missouri Action Agency
EMAA will prepare taxes at its outreach office at 1111 Linden St. in Cape Girardeau. The office is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service is open to married couples with incomes under $40,000 and single filers with incomes under $29,000.

Cape Girardeau Taxpayer Assistance Center
137 S. Broadview St.
573-334-1552
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
-- Procedural inquiries, adjustments, copies of tax returns and transcripts, extra forms, payment arrangements, solutions to tax issues and more.
-- Free federal tax preparation for those with an income below $49,000

Turbo Tax class
The Cape Girardeau Public Library will host a free class on Turbo Tax, a computer software tax prep program at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Free, basic, deluxe and premier editions will be covered. The class will teach basics on getting started in preparing your federal and state income tax returns, and how to file your returns by mail or online. To register, call the library at 573-334-5279, ext. 113, or stop by the Information Desk.

VITA
-- The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program provides free tax return preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, usually $50,000 or less.

-- Call 800-906-9887 for VITA locations
What to bring to a VITA/TCE site:
-- Proof of identification
-- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
-- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents
-- Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
-- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
-- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
-- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
-- A copy of last year's federal and state returns if available
-- Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check
-- Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
-- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
Source: www.irs.gov