Hollister
– Hans Straub was worried when his tax preparer moved away six
years ago. But Straub eventually found someone new to do his taxes.
Someone who would, in fact, help out for free.
Hollister – Hans Straub was worried when his tax preparer moved away six years ago. But Straub eventually found someone new to do his taxes. Someone who would, in fact, help out for free.
Every January, Straub starts watching the local newspaper. When he finds the announcement he’s been waiting for, Straub takes a folder containing last year’s financial records down to the Hollister Community Center, and counselors from the local branch of the American Association of Retired Persons take care of the rest.
Straub, 75, said the AARP has always done a perfect job with his taxes.
“I’ve never had any problem with the IRS, and I’ve gotten all my refunds,” he said. “As long as they provide the service, I’ll keep coming here.”
The service isn’t just for AARP members. The counselors will help out all middle- and low-income taxpayers, although special attention is paid to those who are 60 or older.
Coordinator Dolly DeVasier, a Hollister resident, warned that the counselors can’t help people whose taxes include business, rental or partnership income.
“We do the normal, average things people need help with,” she said.
The program held its first session of the year on Thursday. Its doors will be open from 1pm to 4pm every Tuesday and Thursday until April 12. DeVasier said there are usually four counselors on duty, and together they typically see nine or 10 people per day.
DeVasier has been involved with the tax-aid program for the past 12 years. It just seemed like something different to do after she retired, but DeVasier said it’s also nice to be able
to help people out.
“They’re always so grateful,” she said.
DeVasier wants to keep spreading the word, especially since the program always sees a big drop in appointments in March. There are, she said, probably far too many people in Hollister who could receive her help for free but don’t know about the program.
The counselors are increasingly facing another problem: the number of people showing up who speak only Spanish. DeVasier said she speaks some Spanish, “but not really good enough for this.” That doesn’t stop her from scheduling appointments for Spanish speakers, though; she just struggles through.
For her part, DeVasier hopes to find someone to take over as coordinator. Twelve years are more than enough, she said, but the problem is the big stack of materials the AARP sends to potential coordinators.
“Once they take a look at that, they turn around and run away,” DeVasier said. “But in the long run, it’s not so bad.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or
ah*@fr***********.com
.
