Q: When does the tax help start? Are there any other tax prep services?
Free tax assistance and preparation, provided by trained AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, will begin the first week in February and continue through April 15th. This service is for taxpayers with low and middle income, with special attention given to those ages 60 and older. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
AARP Tax-Aide has many sites around the county and state, but the Central Resource Library is the only location in the Johnson County Library system to host in-person tax assistance. It is strongly recommended that you make an appointment in advance, which you can do beginning Jan. 2 through www.kstaxaide.com or by calling the library at (913) 826-4600.
Next Step KC (a merger of the KC CASH Coalition, Fair Community Credit, and Bank On Save Up initiatives) operates several IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) tax preparation sites in the Kansas City area. They offer free tax help to people who make $51,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. Visit Next Step KC's Tax Preparation page, use the VITA Locator Tool, or call 1-800-906-9887 for more information. Most sites open around the end of January and will not appear on the locator tool until approximately three weeks beforehand.
MilTax is a free online tax preparation resource for active duty service members & those who are within one year of military retirement or separation. For more information, contact them via phone or live chat.