A Real Deal On Taxes

The IRS announced it will start accepting tax returns on January 30 after most of the retroactive changes enacted on January 2 as part of the "fiscal cliff" deal are updated and programmed into their processing systems. If you claim certain credits, such as the residential energy credit and general business credits, or depreciation of property you'll have to wait to file, possibly until the first of March. The tax filing deadline is April 15.

AARP Foundation TaxAide is the nation's largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. Many individuals - not just AARP members or seniors - can take advantage of free tax preparation, advice, and e-filing of federal and Virginia returns at a TaxAide site. The volunteers are trained and certified and most types of individual returns are within the program's scope.

In the central Shenandoah Valley, TaxAide has sites in Harrisonburg, Verona, Waynesboro, Lexington, and Lovingston. Days, hours, scheduling, and other specifics vary by site so be sure to check it out before just showing up at the door. To find the TaxAide site most convenient for you, check out the AARP TaxAide site locator. What's not to like about free?

Where's my refund?

I e-filed my taxes a few weeks ago and used direct deposit, so I was curious... where's my refund? After all, my kids received their refunds in about 10 days. If you are in the same boat, there is a quick and easy way to get the answer. Just go to the IRS website and look for the "Where's My Refund" link on the right. All you need to enter is your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. The site is secure and the info is usually available 72 hours after your e-file is confirmed (longer of course if you file on paper). The results indicate an exact date you can expect a direct deposit.

Speaking of taxes, a great free resource for senior citizens and for low/moderate income taxpayers of any age is the AARP Tax-Aide program found all across the country. Well-trained counselors will prepare your forms and e-file most federal and state returns. In the central valley they have locations in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, and Verona. Locate a site and find the hours of operation and other info here. There's absolutely no sense in handing over a hefty chunk of your refund to a paid preparer when AARP will do it right and do it for free.