Even if you can’t afford to go to H
&
amp;R Block, the rapid approach of April 15 doesn’t have to
strike fear in your heart this year.
Hollister – Even if you can’t afford to go to H&R Block, the rapid approach of April 15 doesn’t have to strike fear in your heart this year.
The American Association of Retired Persons is offering free tax-preparation help to low- to middle-income San Benito County residents at the community center. Special attention will be paid to people 60 and older, but people of all ages can use the free service.
“It’s really supposed to be for the elderly, but we do it for everybody,” said Dolly DeVasier, who has headed up the program for the past 10 years. “If they meet what’s required of them (economically), we’ll do any age.”
While the group doesn’t have a set figure for income requirements, DeVasier said, the volunteers can tell from the tax forms if a client doesn’t need the free service.
“Really, we’ll help anybody as long as it’s not too complicated” with investments and the like, she said.
The AARP’s free tax services have been going on in San Benito County since the 1970s, DeVasier said. Last year, 1.88 million people nationwide got AARP help with their taxes according to the organization’s Web site. In San Benito County alone, DeVasier said they’re expecting about 200-300 people this year.
While the program is funded by the AARP, it relies largely on the help of volunteers. In 2004, the service had over 32,000 volunteers across the United States. This year the county has nine volunteers, mostly retired school teachers and business people, to consult low-income residents with their taxes, DeVasier said.
The free tax services will be at the community center in Hollister on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am – 4pm. The program starts today and runs through April 14. To schedule an appointment, call Dolly DeVasier at 637-1980.
