Life has only two certainties, Ben Franklin once said. Death is one, and the other comes due April 18.
Free income tax preparation services — available to older people and those with lower and middle incomes — throughout Lackawanna and Wayne counties are suiting up for tax season. April 15, the usual tax deadline, falls on a Saturday this year. When that happens, the IRS extends the deadline to April 18, the following Tuesday.
People with low to middle incomes can get free tax preparation help through the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties and the University of Scranton through the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA.
To qualify for assistance under VITA, tax filers must have a household income less than $54,000. Most of the appointment-only locations were booked before they opened, but the University of Scranton has a walk-in-only clinic. The United Way’s 615 Jefferson Ave. location still has openings.
The Voluntary Action Center offers free tax help, by appointment only, to people age 60 and older through the federal Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, or TCE.
The IRS certifies volunteers for both programs.
“The TCE program is predominantly for seniors who are over 60, and I think for them, there’s a little bit more stress on them, because they’re worried about how to file and do it economically,” said Nancy Post, tax program coordinator at the Voluntary Action Center.
Taxpayers this year should be mindful of changes in requirements, said Joe Hammond, an accountant and adjunct professor at the University of Scranton who directs the VITA program.
“One of the biggest issues right now is if they have health insurance through the (Affordable Care Act online) marketplace,” he said. “They should be getting a 1095-A through the marketplace, and that has to be incorporated through their tax return.”
Accounting students at the university staff the Brennan Hall walk-in clinic, an opportunity that affords them real-world experience, Mr. Hammond said.
The university runs its VITA program in tandem with the United Way’s.
VITA prepares more than 2,000 tax returns each year, saving an estimated $300,000 in tax preparation fees, said Angela Bassani, an accountant and director of financial stability at the United Way.
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What to bring
• Photo identification
• Social Security cards and birthdays for you, your spouse and all dependents
• Earnings statements from all employers — for example, W-2 or 1099-R forms
• Bank interest and dividend statements
• Health insurance statements, or form 1095
• Affordable Health Care statements, or forms 1095-A, B or C
• Total paid for day care, the day care’s tax identifying number or Social Security number
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns
• A blank check or proof of bank and routing numbers
• Spouses filing jointly must both be present
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs
For households earning less than $54,000 in 2016
WALK-IN ONLY
University of Scranton, Brennan Hall, Room 111, 320 Madison Ave., Scranton
Feb. 6-March 8 and March 20-31
Mondays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesdays, noon-5 p.m.
Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
For information, call 570-941-4045
APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, 615 Jefferson Ave., Scranton
Feb. 2-28 and April 4-7
Tuesdays, 2-6 p.m.
Thursdays, 3-7 p.m.
Fridays, 1-5 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call 570-504-0614 or visit www.uwlc.net
Tax Counseling
for the Elderly
For those 60 and older.
APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
Voluntary Action Center, 829 Jefferson Ave, Scranton
Must be 60 or older to qualify for help. IRS-certified tax preparers are available through April 15.
Availability could be limited. To schedule an appointment, call 570-347-5616.
The Voluntary Action Center seeks volunteers with computer skills and aptitude for tax work.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Free tax prep help for seniors.
All times are 8:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
Honesdale Senior Center, 323 10th St., Honesdale
Thursdays, Feb. 9, 16 and 23, March 23
Snow dates are the following Fridays.
APPOINTMENT REQUIRED
Hamlin Senior Center, 15 Township Building Road, Route 590, Hamlin
Mondays, Feb. 6, 13, 27; Tuesday Feb. 21.
Snow dates are the following days.
Call 570-253-4262 to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance for both centers.
Rebate aid
for elderly
The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging offers free help to people 65 and older with 2016 property tax and rent rebate forms.
To qualify for a rebate, residents must have a household income no more than $35,000 for homeowners, and $15,000 for renters.
Widows and widowers must be age 50 and older, and those with disabilities must be 18 and older.
An agency outreach worker is visiting senior centers throughout the county from 9 to 11 a.m. on different days of the week:
South Side Senior Center, 425 Alder St., Scranton, first Wednesday of the month; West Side Senior Center, 1004 Jackson St., Scranton, first Thursday of the month; Dunmore Senior Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore, second Friday of the month; Carbondale Senior Center, 66 N. Church St., Carbondale, third Thursday of third month; Abington Senior Center, 1151 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, third Friday of the month; Mid-Valley Senior Center, 310 Church St., Jessup, fourth Wednesday of the month.
The deadline to file property tax and rent rebate forms is June 30.
Anyone with questions, or homebound citizens who need an appointment, can call 570-963-6740.