Relax this tax season
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 8 years, 10 months AGO
By DEVIN HEILMAN
Staff Writer
AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program will return starting Wednesday to assist low- to moderate-income taxpayers with their tax filing needs.
This free service will be provided by an army of about 100 volunteers who have spent the last month training to help ease the stress of tax season.
"It is the most rewarding experience," said multiyear volunteer Betsy Bethke. "We meet the nicest people and it's a joy to give back to our community."
Last year, 300 volunteers helped more than 40,000 Idahoans file federal and state tax returns. The refunds were more than $20 million.
In Kootenai County alone, about 5,500 returns were processed.
"We brought back to Kootenai County over $3.5 million in refunds, which is kind of cool," said Tax-Aide district coordinator and volunteer Warren 'Tax Man' Fisher. "When you compare us to Boise, we’re doing more here than they are."
Those seeking aid do not have to be AARP members and they can be taxpayers of any age. They should bring Social Security cards for themselves and children, photo IDs, last year's (2015's) income tax return and all 2016 income documents such as W-2s and 1099s.
Fisher said the tax services are not intended for taxpayers with higher incomes or businesses that have employees, inventory or depreciation.
Tax-Aide in Kootenai County has helped countless taxpayers in more than 30 years. Fisher has volunteered with Tax-Aide for more than 20, and he admitted it's actually fun.
"There are so many people who need this help. It's simply rewarding for that," he said. "And we enjoy it because it's fun. It's hard to explain to someone that we're doing income taxes."
The Silver Lake Mall will have 13 stations for walk-in clients, set up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The stations will remain open until 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
By appointment only: Lake City Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 667-4628; Post Falls Senior Center, 1215 E. Third Ave. in Post Falls, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 773-9582; Rathdrum Senior Center, 8037 Montana St., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 687-2028; Athol Community Center, 30355 N. Third St., Mondays, 683-2407; and Sunnyside Elementary School, 790 Bunker Ave., Kellogg, 786-9010.
Shut-ins may call 667-4628.
Tax-Aide volunteers will be assisting with tax returns until April 15.