PRESUMABLY, MOST OF us have the holidays behind us.
OK, true, there might still be a few unidentified leftovers behind the milk and the unsolicited fruitcake might not be completely composted, but most of it is in the rearview mirror.
And as that simple truth begins to dawn on us (well that, and the fact that we dated the past two checks “2018”), we slowly begin to realize what we need more than anything, and I’m happy to announce that I’m bringing it to you today.
Yes: Hope.
Because you, like me, are beginning to understand what comes next: taxes.
And what comes with taxes?
Right: Tax-Aide.
So let’s begin with what you want to know the most, which is when and where, so, beginning Feb. 2:
• At the Forks City Hall, every other Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; specifically, Feb. 2 and 16, March 2, 16 and 30, and April 13. First-come, first-served, no appointment is necessary.
• At the Port Angeles library, beginning in February: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. First-come, first-served, no appointment is necessary.
• At the Port Angeles Senior Center, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointment required, call 360-457-7004.
• At Shipley Center in Sequim, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointment required, call 360-775-8494.
• At the Port Townsend Community Center, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Appointment required, call 360-385-9007.
• At Tri-Area Community Center in Port Hadlock, Mondays, noon to 4p.m., and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointment required, call 360-390-4014, Option 4.
• At the Quilcene Community Center on Feb. 23, March 9 and 23, and April 6, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Appointment required, call 360-765-3321.
Many of us, who have been at this for a while, are doing our happy dances knowing that, once again, we’ll be snatched from the jaws of the Federal government.
“Newbies” among us might be thinking: “What is he talking about?”
Fair enough.
Tax-Aide are the good guys who come to our tax-related rescue every year about this time.
They are a hard-core group of highly trained, IRS-certified genetic anomalies (volunteers) who help us electronically file our tax returns for free.
Tax-Aide is a program sponsored by the IRS and the AARP Foundation, but no association with AARP is required or relevant.
If you have income from rental properties or have a complicated business return, this is probably not the service for you, but for the rest of us? Yes.
Here’s what you actually need to do:
If your preferred Tax-Aide site requires an appointment, make an appointment. If it doesn’t, remember that these folks are always inundated at the front-end of tax season so you might want to kick back for a bit, or bring a sandwich, a good book and your patience.
Tax-Aide volunteers are required to see your photo ID and your original Social Security card. (I know that we always advise against carrying that “original” around, but consider this the lesser-of-evils).
Bring last year’s tax return and all of your W-2s, 1099s, 1095s (health insurance documentation) and any other documents you think might be necessary.
If you expect a refund and you want it directly deposited into your bank account, bring your checkbook or some other bank document that shows the bank account numbers (Yes: it has to be something “official.” This is the IRS, remember?).
When you get to the Tax-Aide site, you’ll have to complete a formidable IRS Intake Form — do your best, but don’t freak, the volunteers will be glad to help you through it.
I know what you’re thinking, because I thought the same thing: What about the “new” tax law?
Tax-Aide told me that the two heavy hitters are (1) no more 1040EZ and (2) an increase in standard deductions.
Anything else will be explained during the actual preparation of your return.
That’s it.
Also, we could all stand to remember this: These Tax-Aide volunteers aren’t getting paid to do this.
They’re giving away large chunks of their lives in order to help us, so it wouldn’t hurt us to let them know that we appreciate it.
And to remember this: These guys didn’t write the tax laws, so if we have opinions on the topic, taking it out on them won’t help …
But a smile probably would.
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Mark Harvey is director of Clallam/Jefferson Senior Information & Assistance, which operates through the Olympic Area Agency on Aging. He is also a member of the Community Advocates for Rural Elders partnership. He can be reached at 360-452-3221 (Port Angeles-Sequim), 360-385-2552 (Jefferson County) or 360-374-9496 (West End), or by emailing harvemb@dshs.wa.gov.
