Free Tax Preparation at the Council on Aging or the Bedford Free Public Library

Submitted by Richard Mazow

Beginning on February 4 and continuing through April 12, 2019, the Bedford Council on Aging and the Bedford Free Public Library will offer free tax assistance, primarily for low to moderate income seniors.

The returns are prepared by AARP-qualified volunteers. All volunteers are required to pass an IRS examination before they are permitted to prepare a tax return, and each of us works with another volunteer to be certain that no deduction or credit is missed.

There are twelve (12) volunteers willing to assist you every day at the COA as well as many Fridays and Saturdays at the Library.  This past year we prepared returns for approximately 275 clients and look forward to seeing more in 2019.

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About the Process

Generally, most appointments are 60 minutes in length depending on the complexity of the return. When the client leaves the interview, they take all their documentation with them so that nothing is left with the volunteer, and the returns are subsequently electronically filed unless the client prefers that a paper return be mailed.

There are limited returns that the IRS does not permit us to prepare, such as rental properties as well as some business returns, but in general, most every other return is acceptable.

Many taxpayers are unfamiliar with the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, a refundable credit of as much as $1080.00 this past year. Eligible taxpayers who do not normally file a tax return because of low income may obtain this refund simply by scheduling an appointment and filing a state tax return.

How to Schedule Your Appointment

To schedule an appointment at the Council on Aging, call (781) 275-6825. To schedule an appointment at the Library, call (781) 275-9440 and ask to be connected with the Reference Librarian. Both locations will start accepting appointments after January 1, 2019.

After you schedule an appointment, you will receive a letter outlining the documentation we require, as well as an Intake form to assist you in preparing for the interview. If you need to cancel the appointment for any reason, we ask you to call to allow us to assist another taxpayer in that same time slot.

We look forward to assisting you in the next few months.

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