Need Help With Your Taxes? AARP Offers Aid At Library In Shrewsbury

Do you find filing your tax return to be a daunting task?

The AARP Foundation is offering its AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program now through Monday, April 13, at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library system in Shrewsbury to help. The program, for low- to moderate-income taxpayers assists them with tax services and works to ensure they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.

This service is available free to taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 and older. Through trained volunteers, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has helped for more than 40 years.

For more information, or with specific tax questions, please call 888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277).

Please be aware that there is no charge for this service and there is no pre-registration. A limited number of returns will be filed, depending on the number of volunteers available to complete returns within listed times, on days that the library branch is open.

Please be aware that certain documentation is required and must be with taxpayer before a return will be started. Please see documentation list (below) or on the library flyer that you can download here.

Eastern Branch Library Contact: 866-941-8188

AARP/Tax Aide Volunteers will be in Eastern Branch Library on select days and times through Monday, April 13:

• Mondays: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. to noon
• Wednesdays: 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Fridays: 9:30 a.m. to noon
• Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  
  

IF YOU NEED TAX FORMS

Tax forms can be downloaded via the State of New Jersey and IRS websites. For assistance, please stop by the Reference Desk at any branch. Printing fees apply for tax forms printed at the library.

• Website for State of NJ: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/forms.shtml
• Website for IRS: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/
  
  

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Here is a list of required forms and information that the AARP volunteer preparers need taxpayers to bring in order to prepare their return. There may be others if the taxpayer has a unique situation, but these are the most common.

Identification:

• Social Security Card or other official document from SSA with Social Security number and full name. This is required for the taxpayer, spouse (if joint return) and all dependents.
• Drivers license or other government photo ID for the taxpayer and spouse (if joint return)
• A blank check (if you are requesting direct deposit of your refund)

Tax Forms & Supporting Records:

• Copy of last year’s tax return (particularly if taxpayer itemized deductions in the prior year or if there is a capital loss carryover)
• W-2 for each employer
• Unemployment Compensation Statement (NJ no longer mails this so the taxpayer needs to print it out online)
• SSA-1099 if paid Social Security Benefits
• All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, etc) and documentation showing original purchase price of any assets sold
• 1099-MISC showing miscellaneous income
• 1099-R for any payments from a pension, annuity or retirement account
• All forms relating to federal income tax paid
• Dependent Care Provider information
• Supporting records if itemizing deductions (property tax, mortgage interest, medical expenses, charitable deductions, etc.)

Affordable Care Act Documentation Requirements: (This is the first time this is required for tax returns.)

If the taxpayer, spouse (if joint) and/or any person who could be claimed as a dependent did not have health insurance for the entire year, or if insurance was provided through the Healthcare Marketplace/Exchange, you will need the following:

• A month by month listing showing for each person on the return, which months they had insurance and which months they were uninsured
• Information to determine if the reason the person was not insured qualifies for an exemption
• Exemption Certificate Number (ECN) if an exemption was granted by the Healthcare Marketplace/Exchange
• Form 1095-A (sent automatically if insurance was purchased through the Healthcare Marketplace/Exchange)
• Income information for each dependent listed on the return (only if dependent has a filing requirement)