Two groups offer free tax assistance

Free tax preparation assistance will be available through two local programs.

The American Association of Retired Persons offers its Tax-Aide service from Feb. 2 through April 15.

Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana is now operating Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln counties.

There is no specific income limit for Tax-Aide; the VITA program has an income limit of $56,000 annually.

Tax-Aide

The Tax-Aide program provides free help in preparing and electronically filing federal and state income tax returns for low- to moderate-income taxpayers. The service is free to anyone at any age.

The tax service will be available from Feb. 2 through April 15 in the Earl Bennett Conference Room at the Gateway Community Center (formerly the Gateway West Mall) in Kalispell.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments are being made now. Call 407-8355 to schedule an appointment.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

In Kalispell, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax preparation at the Gateway Community Center and Flathead Valley Community College. Tax services also are offered in Eureka and Polson.

Kalispell

Gateway Community Center

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m.

Special Opening Day Jan. 30 at Winter Warm Up.

By appointment only: Call Dreux Patch at 406-253-5724 to schedule.

Flathead Valley Community College

Arts & Technology Building, Room 236

Fridays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome; no appointments needed.

A special day for veterans will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on  Feb. 14 at FVCC.

Computers will be available at both sites for taxpayers to prepare their own federal and Montana state returns for free. These sites, co-sponsored by the United Way, are also accessible through personal electronic devices.

The site is: http://myfreetaxes.com.

Eureka

First Interstate Bank

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By appointment only: Call Bob Haidle at 406-297-3116 to schedule

Polson

Community Action Partnership Office

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

By appointment only: Call Lynda Craft at 406-833-3470 to schedule

Both programs have limits on the types of returns that volunteers will prepare. Returns outside the scope of the program include farm income, rental income, returns with a significant number of capital gains/losses and business income that includes employees, depreciation, inventory or a loss.

Taxpayers are asked to bring the following information to the tax preparation sites:

•  Copy of last year’s tax return.
•  Picture ID for the taxpayer and Social Security cards for all people listed on the return.
•  W-2 forms from each employer.
•  Unemployment compensation statements.
•  SSA-1099 forms for those who were paid Social Security.
•  All 1099 forms (1099-Int, 1099-Div, 1099-B, 1099-C etc.).
•  1099-Misc. showing any miscellaneous income.
•  1099-R form for those who receive a pension or IRA distribution.
•  Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number)
•  Checkbook or savings account information for direct deposit.

 For those over age 62 eligible for the Montana Homeowner and Renter credit, a copy of 2014 property tax bill and/or total rent paid in 2014.

In addition to this checklist, taxpayers should bring documentation with proof of health insurance in 2014. If insurance was purchased on the Marketplace, taxpayers must also provide form 1095A. This form will be issued by the insurance company.