In junior high, Barbara Branson fell in love.

With doing taxes.

"I'm a numbers person," Branson said with a smile, explaining that the middle school introduction was in a class. "I love doing taxes. I've been doing them my whole life."

It goes without saying that Branson, who has a business degree, is the kind of person you want giving pointers on your W-4 form.

Drop by Silver Lake Mall in the next few months, and the Rathdrum woman and math fans just like her will be happy to do so.

More than 90 volunteers were wrapping up training this week for the annual AARP Tax-Aide in Kootenai County. Lasting from Feb. 1 to April 14, the program's volunteers will file tax returns for free for low-to-middle income folks of any age.

"I'm just happy helping people get money back from the federal government," Branson said, adding that this is her third year volunteering. "The faster the better."

Nearly 5,000 county residents sought help from Tax Aide last year, said District Coordinator Warren Fisher.

He expects at least 4,000 this year, he added.

"It's free," Fisher explained of the program's popularity.

That, and all volunteers filling out tax forms are required to be certified by the IRS, he said.

"We end up doing 100 percent quality review by a second person," he added.

Volunteers will file tax returns on a first-come, first-serve basis at Silver Lake Mall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Folks can also make appointments for tax help at the Lake City Center, the Rathdrum Senior Center, Athol Community Center and the Post Falls Senior Center.

People should bring in their tax return from last year, Fisher said, as well as all relevant tax documents for 2011. They also need to present the Social Security cards of everyone listed on their return, or at least a letter from the Social Security office identifying them.

"Husband, wife, all the kids, if Uncle Henry lives with them," Fisher said.

To make appointments at the Lake City Center, call: 667-4628. For the Rathdrum Senior Center, call 687-2028. Make appointments at the Athol Community Center by calling 683-2407. For the Post Falls Senior Center: 773-9582.

Home-bound individuals can call: 667-4628.

Volunteer Ron Koontz, also a member of the Dalton Gardens City Council, noted that the program expedites the tax return process by filing returns electronically.

"It's all handled. The next thing they'll see is a refund," Koontz said, adding that Tax Aide also provides vouchers for due taxes.

The retiree volunteers every year because of the variety of taxpayers he meets, Koontz said, and the pleasure of helping them get deductions.

"Just overall, the satisfaction of these 10 weeks," he said. "You've helped a lot of people, and it hasn't cost them anything."