Free Tax Filing Assistance Available in Connecticut

As the countdown to tax day begins, Connecticut residents can count on AARP to help manage tax time stress.  From February 1 through April 15, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation program, helps taxpayers with basic federal and state income tax returns.

Available to middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention given to those 60 and older, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides face-to-face tax assistance services at 96 sites across Connecticut, including libraries, and senior and community centers.  Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year.

“As the U.S. Tax Code has become increasingly complicated, so has preparing individual tax returns,” said AARP Connecticut volunteer Tax-Aide Coordinator, Linda Avery.  “For many 50+ taxpayers who are struggling in this economy, Tax-Aide assistance can help ensure they don’t overpay their taxes or have to rely on expensive, and for too many, unaffordable professional tax preparation services.”

Last year, more than 550 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped 30,000 Connecticut residents navigate complicated tax codes, ensure proper credits and deductions and file their federal, state and local tax returns.  Over 90% of the tax returns were filed electronically, assuring that residents received their tax refunds quickly.

Find a tax-aide site near you and make an appointment, or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669).  Additional information for Connecticut taxpayers is available at www.211ct.org/taxes or by calling 2-1-1.

What to Bring

If married, both husband and wife should be present during an income tax counseling session. Taxpayers must have available all information and documents that have been received that apply to their 2013 income taxes including:

• Proof of identity (picture or other documentation).
• All income statements that apply to the taxpayers.
• Social Security number (Social Security card or Benefit Statement-Form SSA-1099) for taxpayer and all dependents.
• Copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns.
• Personal check, if available, if direct depositing tax refund, with bank checking account & routing numbers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated, 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, charitable organization established in 1961.  To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.