Taxes made easy — and free — for seniors

Warwick — Senior citizens are eligible to receive free, simple tax preparation with no income requirements through the Orange County Office for the Aging. Anne Coon, district coordinator for the Annual Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program through the Orange County Office for the Aging, said people 60 and older may have their income tax prepared for free, as long as it is a simple situation. “It has to be a simple return,” said Coon. “There cannot be a lot of stock trading, rental properties or business expenses.” The program, which has been in existence for more than 30 years, is co-sponsored by AARP and the IRS, along with the Office for the Aging. Volunteers are trained by an IRS-certified instructor before they can actually prepare the returns, according to Coon. “The training is very stringent,” said Coon. “The training takes place in January and all must pass an IRS exam, which sometimes takes up to 30 hours or more to do.” Many of the volunteers are current or former professionals—bankers, teachers, even accountants—who volunteer their time to help seniors. The volunteers must train and be tested every year since tax law changes from year to year. “Especially for our tax professionals, this is a big sacrifice for them during tax time,” Coon added. In Orange County alone, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program helped more than 2,000 seniors last year. Coon stresses this program is for those who will file simple returns. “If you have a simple situation, seniors shouldn’t have to spend money on having their taxes prepared,” Coon said. “If it is a complicated return, they should have a paid preparer.” And, while many seniors may no longer have to file income tax returns, in order to get their STAR benefit for school taxes, they actually do. Ditto for the economic stimulus package just passed by Congress that can put between $300 and $600 into the pockets of single seniors. Married couples filing jointly get even more. Everything is confidential. Coon said her office keeps no files. And the program is nationwide. People do not have to be from Orange County or New York to have their taxes done here. And the program will stand behind any errors. Coon said their error rate is very low. “We have a very good record,” she said. “But if there are problems later, if it is our error, we will stand behind it.” Coon said this program has quick access to the IRS and New York State Taxation if there are any issues. “We have resources beyond the average taxpayer,” she said. Appointments are necessary. Tax volunteers are situated throughout the county, including Warwick, Goshen, Chester and Monroe. E-filing is available at all locations. In Warwick, the tax preparers are at the Warwick Reformed Church on Thursdays between now and April 15. Those wishing to have their taxes prepared there must call 988-9517 to arrange for an appointment in advance. In Chester, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is the site and tax preparation happens on Tuesdays. Call 469-3171 to arrange for an appointment there. If the days at your local site are not convenient or if appointments are not available, there are sites throughout the county, call Coon at 615-3705.