AARP Tax Guide

Event Date: 
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - 8:45am to 12:45pm

FREE HELP WITH STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS

Each year the Northborough Senior Center is pleased to pair with the AARP TAXAIDE Program to offer a free income tax service to seniors in the Northborough area. Local AARP volunteers staff the program, supported by the staff from the Senior Center. We are pleased to offer this opportunity again this year.

The AARP TAX-AIDE program helps low and middle income taxpayers file their Federal and Massachusetts personal income tax returns. Special attention is given to senior citizens with Federal Adjusted income of under $80,000. The program also helps those who would not normally file a tax return but who qualify for the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker, a partial tax refund of up to $1100 for low income seniors whose real estate taxes or rent meets certain requirements. Residents of subsidized housing do not qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker.

AARP TAX-AIDE volunteers are trained to assist in filing the basic income tax forms and schedules, including most forms for earned income, retirement income, interest and dividend income, simple business income, itemized deductions, the earned income credit, and Child Tax and Education credits. Volunteers are not trained to assist with depreciation, business returns, complex financial income, and taxpayers subject to the Alternate Minimum tax.

The AARP volunteers meet with taxpayers by appointment at the Northborough Senior Citizen’s Center on Wednesday mornings, starting February 5 and ending April 13. Appointments are about an hour, with the first starting at 8:45 and last starting about 12:45. Please call the Senior Center after January 15 to schedule your appointment.

You are asked to bring all your tax documents to your appointment. Please bring your copy of your 2015 Federal and State tax return. We will require proof of identity (a photo ID) and a Social Security Card or letter from the Social Security Administration documenting all Social Security numbers. Bring proof of health care coverage and the 1095-A if you purchased insurance on the MASS Connector. Bring all income statements - wage statements (W2), interest statements (1099-I), dividend statements (1099-D), retirement income statements (1099-R), social security statements, and brokerage statements (1099-B). Bring proof of real estate tax and water bill payments or rent payments. Bring mortgage statements, charity contributions, medical expenses, and tuition payment statements. Not having the required forms will usually mean rescheduling another appointment on a future Wednesday.

If you have questions, we suggest that you stop in any Wednesday morning during the tax season and the volunteers will assist you to get ready for your appointment.