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By CHRISTINE LIBERASKI; Times Leader Staff Writer
Saturday, February 05, 1994     Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: AARP OFFERS TAX HELP

FAIRVIEW TWP. — Senior citizens who need help filing their income taxes
are in luck.
   
The American Association of Retired Persons is bringing its Tax Aide
Program to the area starting this week to help prepare federal, state and
local income tax returns for low- and moderate-income senior citizens. The tax
service is free.
    “The site is in Mountaintop, but to make it worthwhile, we need and want
people from all over to come in for help,” said Bob Geham, public relations
coordinator for the program.
   
Geham said the program is aimed at solving specific problems the elderly
may have in filing their tax returns, and to make sure they are aware of the
various tax credit programs and exclusions available. Programs such as the
rent rebate program, which gives qualified senior citizens some of the money
back they paid in rent the previous year, are funded through Pennsylvania
Lottery profits.
   
Nationwide, the AARP has 35,000 trained volunteers who help prepare tax
returns through the Tax Aide Program. Two of them will be on hand locally at
the M.S. Kirby Memorial Library until the end of tax season.
   
Geham said to qualify for the program, participants must be at least 60
years old and have a yearly income of less than $30,000. He added, however,
that exceptions to the qualifications can be made.
   
“I remember one person who came in once who was 80 years old, but whose
income was too high,” said Geham. “She said she noticed her memory was
slipping and she didn’t trust herself anymore to do her own taxes. Well, I did
her taxes, because it takes a lot for an older person to admit she’s
slipping.”
   
Fact box phone # is OK
   
If you need help
   
The American Association of Retired Persons is offering its Tax Aide
Program to local senior citizens to help them file their tax returns.
   
It will be held Feb. 16 to April 13 every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the
M. S. Kirby Memorial Library, 35 Kirby Ave., Fairview Township.
   
Appointments must be made in advance by calling the library at 474-9313. cq
Participants should bring copies of last year’s federal and state tax returns
and forms for the current tax year to the appointment.