Free tax return help being offered

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

Local volunteers are gearing up for "Maryland Tax Day" on Saturday, Feb. 28. Starting at 9 a.m. at the Leonardtown library, counselors will be available to prepare returns on a walk-in basis.

The program has expanded this year to include locations around the county.

Funded by the AARP Foundation in partnership with the IRS, AARP Tax-Aide is the largest volunteer tax preparation service in the country, serving more than 2 million people nationwide last year.

The St. Mary's program has been in existence for several decades. In the mid-1980s, the Rev. David Liles, then pastor of the Callaway Baptist Church, took on management of the program as a mission of the church. The program grew steadily over the years, expanding the number of locations and counselors, and last year St. Mary's volunteers prepared more than 400 returns.

Dana Davis, a county native who has extensive experience with the IRS's companion VITA program on Patuxent River Naval Air Station, is now the St. Mary's County district coordinator.

Many of the volunteers are retired professionals formerly associated with the base who are looking for a way to give something back to the community.

Taxpayers who file electronically can have their refunds back in as little as few days if they use direct deposit, and usually within a couple of weeks if they want a check mailed to them. This fast service can eliminate the need for expensive refund-anticipation loans available from paid preparers that can cost more than half the amount of the refund.

"Your tax situation must fall within our scope of services, which encompasses the types of income, deductions and credits common to taxpayers at this income level, but doesn't include more complex tax situations like rental property," Davis said in a statement. Individuals calling to schedule an appointment are prescreened to help ensure they qualify for the service prior to coming to a site. Maryland state returns are included in the service and also can be filed electronically.

The AARP also provides free year-round tax assistance on the Internet allowing taxpayers to pose tax questions to online assisters 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the comfort of their home by visiting the AARP website at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Many of those who use the program are working parents who qualify for the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit.

County residents interested in the service should call 301-994-2527 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to make an appointment. Potential volunteers should call Davis at 301-863-2561 or e-mail her at djdavis@md.metrocast.net.