Senator Brian A. Joyce is reminding residents that the filing deadline for taxes, Monday, April 15, is rapidly approaching and wants constituents to know of potentially free assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Assistance is available to help residents with basic federal and state income tax returns and is available to middle- and low-income taxpayers with special attention given to those 60 and older. Residents of the Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth district can find the nearest assistance site and schedule an appointment by visiting: www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action.

“All of these 600+ volunteers have been trained in conjunction with the IRS and the state Department of Revenue to ensure the assistance they provide is accurate and beneficial to residents,” said Joyce. “It’s important that taxpayers know what deductions, like the senior circuit breaker and energy efficiency credits, they’re entitled to and get the most out of their refunds.”
If married, both spouses should be present during the income tax counseling session and should be prepared with:

· Proof of identity (picture or other documentation)

· All income statements that apply to the taxpayer(s)

· Social Security number (Social Security card or Benefit Statement-Form SSA-1099) for taxpayer and all dependents

· A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns; and

· A personal check if direct depositing refund, with bank checking account and routing numbers.