I don’t even know what AARP stands for, but I know the AARP Foundation offers an incredible service locally every tax season. They train smart retired folks to help people file taxes for FREE! And not only that, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has access to IRA software and can submit your tax return electronically.
Did I mention it is FREE? I’ve used this service for the last three years and every year I am amazed – because the people there are very informed and computer-savvy. (These folks are also no-nonsense, and will tell you what’s what) This year, AARP Tax-Aide is located at the Saint Mary of the Valley Church on Church Street in Yucca Valley. They operate from February 1 through April 15. The rest of the year, an AARP representative can be found at Pomona First Federal on Wednesdays from 9 – 11:00 am.
AARP Tax-Aide is open Monday to Wednesday, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Call 760-365-4850 to make an appointment. You’ll need last year’s tax returns, social security cards for yourself and all dependents, W2 forms, and a copy of your house contract. If you don’t live in the hi-des, check their website to find one near you here.
I discovered that I am making $46,665 a year (ten thousand more than last year??). That lets me and Bella live like the queen and princess of Sheba here in Joshua Tree. I owe the feds $331, but I’ll be getting $1,107 from the state of California. Woo hoo! That will go towards the new house fund.
Next year I could apply to work as a Instructional Strategies Coach for a private firm in Monrovia and make somewhere between $65,000 and $80,000. Or I could break away from education and take a dinky job at publishing firm or magazine company and make probably something closer to $30,000. Sigh.