AARP volunteers make filing tax returns easier

Qualified volunteers through AARP's Tax Aide program will provide free assistance to seniors and qualifying low- to middle-income residents in filing tax returns for the 2004 tax year.

Training for the volunteers began in December. On Monday, volunteers were at the Nevada State Library and Archives getting familiar with the computer software program they will use to electronically file returns.

"We use a lot of volunteers during the tax season," said Gil Yanuck, senior district coordinator of the program. "Not only tax preparers, but we have pre-screeners and quality reviewers. We have nearly 100 percent of last year's volunteers returning.

"Pre-screeners make sure the client brings all necessary information and paperwork with them and puts it all in order. This process takes about 10 minutes, but saves much more time for the preparer."

Yanuck said the quality-review person is "another pair of eyes," who looks at the returns to ensure information has been entered correctly. Yanuck said about 1 percent of the hundreds of returns filed last year were returned for correction.

The service is designed for low- to middle-income taxpayers and has an emphasis on helping people age 60 and older. Appointments are required for the service.

Volunteer Stew MacRitchie, a retiree who did consulting work for the Nevada Department of Transportation, has filed returns as a volunteer since 1989. He made his way easily through the instructions and entered the information on a keyboard.

"I've done this since 1989 - but it's my first year doing it electronically," MacRitchie said. "If I need help, I'll just ask one of these two ladies," he said, gesturing to Peggy Saville and Carol Davis on either side of him.

Saville is also retired and is returning for her second year as a volunteer tax preparer.

"I used to work with numbers and have always filed my own tax return," she said. "This is a lot easier. The computer does all the calculations for you. The mathematics is wonderful."

Third-year volunteer Davis works full-time for the state.

"I work only on Saturdays (volunteering) at FISH," Davis said. "It's nice to have a refresher course to get you ready. I really enjoy this."

Volunteers will be at Topaz Ranch Estates, the Douglas County and Carson City senior centers and FISH.

Appointments are required. Clients must bring all tax-related papers and forms with them. If you are unsure as to what to bring, ask the pre-screener when scheduling an appointment. Most common forms needed include a W2, SSA1099 (for retirees), 1099R, bank or credit union interest statements, advance income credit, broker's statements, assets of mutual funds, etc.

"When taxes are computer-filed, the client gets their refund in seven to 10 days," Yanuck said. "It can be deposited directly into their checking or savings account."

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

FAST FACTS

What: Free tax aid for seniors and low- to middle-income residents

Where:

• Carson City: Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Dr. Call 883-0703; Friends in Service Helping (FISH), 138 E. Long St. Call 882-8448.

• Minden: Douglas County Library, 1625 Library Lane. Call 265-1093.

• Gardnerville: Douglas County Senior Center, 2300 Meadow Lane. Call 783-6455.

• Topaz Ranch Estates South County Sheriff's Substation, 1470 Albite Road, Wellington. Call (775) 266-1028 weekdays.

• Yerington: Lyon County Library, 20 Nevin Way. Call (775) 463-7910; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.