WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON -- Seniors and low-income taxpayers who need assistance filing their taxes have six sites to choose from in the Kanawha Valley.

The one-on-one assistance is available from Feb. 2 until April 15.

The following AARP Tax-Aide sites open Feb. 2 and all offer electronic filing:

* Southeast Church of the Nazarene, Kanawha City, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

* South Charleston Library, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Friday.
* Dunbar Library, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

* Hansford Senior Center, St. Albans, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Friday.

* Nitro Senior Center, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday.

* Henson Senior Center, Hurricane, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Friday.

AARP Tax-Aide, an AARP Foundation program, began in 1968 with only four volunteers who served 100 people in that tax season. Today, the AARP Tax-Aide program has attracted more than 32,000 volunteers and has helped over 36 million people file their tax returns.

AARP Tax-Aide is a confidential, free and quality service supported by friendly people in local communities across the nation. This service is available to middle and low-income taxpayers of all ages with special attention to those age 60 and older. IRS certified volunteers are trained to assist in filing basic tax forms.

A variety of service options are available at over 8,600 locations nationwide:

* One-on-one on-site tax counseling, from Feb. 2 to April 15

* Telephone tax counseling

* 24-hour tax counseling on the Internet all year

Since 1980, the program has operated under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as part of its Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program.

AARP Tax-Aide sites are operational from Feb. 1 to April 15 each year. During that season, taxpayers can find the site closest to their home by calling our toll-free number, 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669) or visiting the Web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide. Tax counseling on the Internet is available all year round.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50-plus have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.