AARP offers free tax prep
By KATHLEEN MCKEVITT Sentinel Writer

Sentinel photo/Kathleen McKevitt George Schwane and team member help client prepare taxes at the Blairsville location of AARP Taxaide.

George Schwane heads and organizes the local Free Tax Preparation group in this part of north Georgia. It's called AARP Taxaide, but don't let the name fool you. It's open to everyone, not just retired folks. Nor do you have to be a member of AARP to receive the service.

The service is free to taxpayers with low-to moderate incomes. This Taxaide group does returns for people from 18-90-plus years old. A group of 18 volunteers, they all have over five years experience with the program and they have all had to complete the training and testing each years before they're certified.

Schwane is in his sixth year of preparing taxes and remembers that they started out only six years ago using pen and paper, and admits that there were a lot more errors than there are now with their "Tax-Wize" system provided by the IRS to professional providers. Now, they are almost error-free.

On average it takes between 40-60 minutes to file someone's taxes, and that includes a quality review in which another preparer goes over the form with a fine toothed comb to insure its accuracy just before it's filed. " The quality counselor checks every number as if they were doing it from scratch," according to Schwane.

"What some people don't know is that even though someone does not need to file a federal return, if they have owned a phone in the last four years, we can file for them and they can get a refund this year only. Georgia state returns also provides a refund of up to $52.00 per person for those with low income, so between federal and state, a person can get up to $82.00 back this year," says Schwane.

There are two sites, Hiawassee United Methodist Church in Hiawassee and First Baptist Church Annex in Blairsville. In Hiawassee, they are open on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.in Blairsville, and Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Blairsville.

Last year, the group saw over 1,100 people and this year they have already done taxes for over 500. The biggest challenge, according to Schwane "is getting people to come in." He reports that there are always changes to the tax laws. This year there were three major changes, but their software provides for those changes. One such change is that educators can deduct $250.00 of their out of pocket expenses.

Of the 101 sites in Georgia, after four weeks of preparing taxes, this local group ranks as number three in volume, having done and e-filed over 460 federal and state returns. One extra day of preparing returns was done at Branan Lodge in Blairsville for almost 70 of their residents.

To take advantage of this service, bring your Social Security card, a copy of last year's return, and your documents needed for filing this year, including W2's any dividend statements, pensions, or Social Security statements etc.

Schwane says, "we make every effort to make this a comfortable, private experience. We are all here to put people at ease and be as helpful as possible."

The group does not file extensions, does not do business returns, rentals, timber, farm returns or returns for ministers who have more specialized forms to complete.

Schwane wants to thank the two churches who have provided facilities, and Ingles and Bi- Lo for the donations of cookies and donuts for the volunteers.

The last day of filing your taxes free with the AARP Taxaide group is April 12th. No appointments are necessary, but it's less of a wait if you arrive early, or around 11:00-noon, or for working people, between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.