Funding for Case Management, Information and Assistance, Jo Davies Transportation, Caregiver Services and Health Management is provided under the Older Americans Act through the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
.... Serving Stephenson & Jo Daviess Counties
Lincoln Mall
1237 W Galena Ave.
Freeport, IL 61032-3803
1.800.424.6696
815.235.9777
TDD: 815.235.6117
The new year is here and with it the start of the tax season. Again this year the Senior Center will be hosting the AARP Tax-Aide program. We will be located in the new Senior Center location at Lincoln Mall
What is Tax-Aide? It is a cooperative effort by the IRS and the AARP Foundation to provide free tax counseling services to low to moderate income taxpayers, with a preference for seniors. There is absolutely no charge for Tax-Aide services. Tax Counselors are volunteers trained and certified through the IRS. Client information is always kept confidential and securely maintained. All paper records are returned to the client and all tax information is sent to the IRS for safe keeping. No records are retained on site.
Tax-Aide handles individual and family returns but not returns for businesses, rental or farm properties. Returns are prepared using IRS provided software and are filed electronically. Electronic filing improves accuracy, IRS acceptance of the return and shorter waits for refunds. Usually, refunds from electronic returns are returned within 2 weeks while paper returns mailed to the IRS require 6 weeks.
Last year Tax-Aide served almost 4 million clients through 1,600 offices staffed by 32,000 volunteers. Locally, we served about 1,200 clients through sites in Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties with 25 dedicated volunteers.
If you know a senior living in this area that must communicate in Spanish we can arrange for assistance. Please contact the receptionist at the Senior Center at 815.235.9777. Allow us a few days to make the necessary arrangements.
In this area we serve clients by appointment in order to minimize the time they might otherwise spend waiting to see a counselor.
Changes in Tax Code
Every year there are a variety of changes in the tax code but most are technical and do not affect the average senior. However, this year there are some interesting changes to highlight.
New Vehicle Purchase: For 2009 there is an additional deduction for state and local excise taxes on the purchase of a new automobile, light truck, motorcycle or motor home. The deduction is limited to the first $49,500 of the purchase price. If you made a purchase, please bring your closing statement with you at tax time.
Residential Energy Credits: The new law reinstates and increases the tax credit for home owners that make energy efficient improvements in their existing home. The credit is 30% of the cost of qualifying improvements up to a maximum of $1,500. This credit covers such improvements as adding insulation, new energy efficient windows and doors and new heating systems.
Additional credits are available for energy efficient products such as wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps and solar water heaters.
When and where can you make your appointment?
This year, financial companies are not required to report tax data until mid-February. If you have investment income we recommend that you schedule your tax appointment after March 1st. Tax appointments usually take about one hour.
Freeport: Stephenson County Senior Center, Lincoln Mall, 1237 W. Galena Ave.
Call the receptionist at 815.235.9777 or 800.424.6696. Appointments are usually scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 to 3:30. We will start accepting appointments on January 18th with appointments beginning on February 1st.
Lena: Lena State Bank and Citizens State Bank
Tax appointments at Lena State Bank will start at 9:00 on Tuesdays beginning on February 9th. Tax appointments at Citizens State Bank will be on Wednesday, February 24th and March 17th.
Orangeville: Community Bank of Orangeville
Tax appointments will be on Thursdays from 9:00 to 3:00 beginning March 4th.
For appointments in Lena and Orangeville call the receptionist at Lena State Bank at 815.369.4901 and request an appointment to have your tax return prepared at the bank of your choice. Call during normal business hours, 9:00 to 4:00 on Monday through Fridays.
Stockton: Galena Banking Center
Appointments will be Tuesday through Thursday beginning at 9:30. First appointments will be on February 1st. To make an appointment, call the bank at the 815.947.2000 and ask to make an appointment for Tax-Aide.
Galena: Galena State Bank
To make an appointment, call Amber at 815.777.0663 during normal banking hours. Tax appointments will be on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 3:00 beginning March 2nd.
This year we are opening a new location in German Valley to extend service into the eastern part of Stephenson County.
German Valley: German American State Bank
To make an appointment call the German American State Bank at 815.362.2310 and request a Tax-Aide appointment. Appointments will begin on March 4th.
For those of you that are not able to travel to one of our sites, please call the receptionist for the site in your area and request a tax counselor visit your home. One of our Counselors will call to set up an appointment. Please allow a few days for the counselor to contact you.
As a special service to veterans, age 60 and over, we have opened a Tax-Aide site at the Freeport VFW Club (Post 998), 1802 E Shawnee (in the Arcade). As with all Tax-Aide sites, the services are offered free by our volunteer Counselors. For appointments at the VFW Club please call Bill Misner at 815.238-5834 after January 15. Veterans may still continue to use other sites if they prefer.
If your income is such that you qualify, we will assist you in filing for the Real Estate Assessment Tax Freeze in Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties at the time we file your tax return.
What to Bring to Your Tax-Aide Appointment
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A copy of your 2008 Tax Return
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Social Security cards for you, your spouse and any dependents
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Statements of income for 2009. This can include wages on W-2 or W-2P, unemployment compensation statements, Social Security/SSA statements and 1099 forms covering pensions, annuities, IRA’s, interest received, dividends and miscellaneous income.
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Any forms indicating that tax has been withheld.
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Child care provider information (Name, ID number or Social Security number) and a statement of the money you paid.
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Form 1098 stating the interest paid on a home mortgage.
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Information on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act payments received as part of your Social Security, Railroad Pension or government pension
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Copy of your real estate broker’s statement that defines the price and cost basis for the sale of real estate property, such as your home or lake cottage. Cost basis includes the price paid for the property plus any commission or other expenses associated with purchase or sale of the property. Profit on the sale of your home (primary residence) is exempt to $250,000 if you are filing Single and $500,000 if you are filing a Joint Return.
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A copy of your real estate property tax bill. Illinois is changing its reporting requirements to include providing the PIN number on your tax bill. We will need this number to file your return so please bring your actual tax bill if possible.
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Copy of any financial advisors’ or stock brokers’ statement detailing the sale of stocks, bonds or other investments. Be sure to bring information defining the cost basis for your investment. This should include the price paid plus any commission or other charge associated with the purchase of the investment.
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If you have authorized a Power Of Attorney please provide a copy to mail with the return.
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Please bring the Routing Number and Account Number for the financial organization where you do your banking. These numbers may be found on your personal check and savings deposit slips. This information will be added to your e-file return for fast, efficient direct deposit of a refund into your account. Or if you owe tax, you can have the funds electronically transferred from your account on the specific date you wish. (The date of your payment can be scheduled out to April 15, 2010 regardless of when the return is filed before that time.)
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Please bring your spouse if you are filling a joint return. Both of your signatures will be required.
If you are ever in doubt about what to bring to your tax appointment, please call the Senior Center and ask to speak with a tax counselor. Our bottom line rule is if in doubt, bring the information with you.
This year we will be making one change in our process. Each client will be asked to complete an "Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet". This form is designed to help the tax counselor prepare a more accurate tax return. The form highlights tax benefits as well as income to ensure you receive your maximum tax benefits. The form will be returned to you at the end of your appointment. It is not a formal tax document but a simple tool for helping the tax counselors. It is in essence a simple checklist to help you remember all the financial events of the past year that might affect your tax obligation. If you have any difficulty completing the form, the tax counselor will help you complete the information during your appointment. We are always happy to review all your tax documents with you.
Finally, for those using the Senior Center location this is also our first year in the new location. We will be settling in at the beginning of the tax season. Please be patient with us as we work through any problems that result from the move. We are excited to be in the new site but, as with any move, there are always surprises. We look forward to seeing you in the new facility and hope that you will tell your friends about our services.
