CARIBOU, Maine — AARP Tax Aide offers tax assistance to the elderly, low income and others who might need assistance. The County group has been offering tax assistance to County residents for close to 20 years, but this year will still operate under COVID-19 restraints.
They will offer tax assistance in Caribou at the VFW Hall, 253 Van Buren Rd., and plan to be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that these dates and times are subject to change, due to fluctuating guidelines from the CDC.
The group will not be offering assistance at their University of Maine at Presque Isle site this year, as the campus is closed to the public.
The group is aware that many of their clients wish to file at the state level only, for purposes of claiming a tax credit. They will assist with this, but to minimize congestion at the site, they ask that those clients come to the site from noon to 2 p.m. each day they are open. Other clients are asked to arrive before that time.
No new return requests will be accepted after 2 p.m.
COVID social distancing and masking rules will be rigorously enforced. There will be limited capacity for clients in the building at any one time. When numbers exceed that capacity, clients will be asked to wait in their vehicles until space becomes available.
Clients must bring Social Security cards or other paperwork showing Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. Clients are also required to present a photo ID for the primary person on the return, as well as all pertinent tax documents. If paperwork is missing, clients will be asked to return another time with all necessary documents.
As always, clients should bring a copy of the most recent prior year return, and this year should bring their own pens.
Facilitators will, if needed, assist clients in filling out intake information required by the IRS. Each client will be assigned to a qualified preparer, who will generate their return, which will be reviewed by another preparer before it is approved and printed. Every client will be given a printed copy.
Unless the client wishes to paper file, the group will e-file the return. On rare occasions, a paper file may be required. If a client wishes to have direct deposit of a refund, or direct withdrawal of a payment, they must show a copy of a check.
