AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will again partner with the Marlborough Public Library to offer free income tax assistance and filing.  Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS certified to prepare most personal income tax returns except for returns with rental income, crypto-currency exchanges, and other less common types of items.  The program does not discriminate in any way, but is intended for low to moderate income taxpayers, with a focus on the elderly.  Volunteers will offer in-person service at the Marlborough Library every other Saturday mornings from February 7 thru April 4th.  

Appointments are required; call the library at 508-624-6900 ext 2 to schedule an appointment after January 15. Pre-Appointment paperwork, available at the library, will need to be filled out and brought with you to your appointment along with your additional documents.


For a complete list of what they can help with, and documents needed to complete a tax return, visit aarpfoundation.org/TaxAide.

General

  • All correspondence received from the IRS and your state/local taxing authority.
  • Social Security cards and/or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number notices/cards or other official documentation that show the taxpayer identification numbers for every individual on your return.
  • Government-issued photo ID for each taxpayer.
  • Checking or savings account information if you want to direct-deposit any refund(s) or direct-debit any amounts due.
  • Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) (for each individual if applicable). Don't have one? The IRS can send you one.

Income

  • W-2 forms for each employer.
  • 1099-G form for unemployment compensation or state/local income tax refunds.
  • SSA-1099 form showing the total Social Security benefits paid to you for the year, or RRB-1099, Tier 1 railroad retirement benefits form.
  • 1099 forms (or other statements) reporting interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV) and/or proceeds from sales (1099-B), plus documentation showing the original purchase prices if you sold stocks or other assets.
  • 1099-R form if you received a pension, annuity or IRA distribution.
  • 1099-MISC, 1099-K or other 1099 forms. If you have a business, bring a summary list of all your income (cash and noncash) and all business-related expenses.
  • Information about any other income of any form, including cash.
  • Tax document that you may have received from your state.

Payments

Records of any federal and/or state and/or local income tax paid (including quarterly estimated tax payments) if not shown on income documents.

Deductions

Most taxpayers have a choice of taking either a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. You need to have more itemized deductions than the standard deduction. If you have a substantial amount of deductions, you may want to itemize. If so, bring the following information:

  • 1098 form showing home mortgage interest.
  • A summary list of medical/dental/vision expenses, including doctor and hospital bills and medical insurance premiums, prescription medicines, assisted living services, long-term insurance and bills for medical-related home improvements such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities.
  • Summary of cash and noncash contributions to charity.
  • Property tax bills paid during the year (frequently shown on mortgage statement).
  • 1095-A forms if you purchased insurance through the marketplace (exchange).

Credits/adjustments

  • Dependent care provider information — name, address, telephone number and employer ID or Social Security number and amount paid to provider.
  • 1098-T form for education expenses plus statement of account from the educational institution showing tuition and fees actually paid and scholarships, grants, etc. received. Bring a summary of any other education expenses.
  • 1098-E form for student loan interest.