Appointments with a tax aide will be taken starting Jan. 21 by calling (815) 235-9777, ext. 233. We recommend that you make an appointment only after you think you will have all your tax documents. Appointments fill up quickly. If information is missing, we can’t begin your return, and you will be asked to make a new appointment.

Items to bring with you to an appointment must include:

• A photo ID.
• A Social Security Card for each person on the return.
• Proof of all income, including Social Security benefits.
• Proof of medical insurance coverage for each person on the return.
• For joint returns — both persons must be present.
• Your previous year’s return.

The Senior Resource Center tax aides are limited to specific types of tax forms which we are allowed to prepare by both the IRS and by the AARP Foundation which sponsors the program. If your return falls outside the scope of our training, you will need to go to a professional tax preparer.

Some of the returns we cannot prepare include: farm income (except if only land rental), military returns, ministerial income, cancellation of mortgage debt, business income that involves depreciation, rental income, and K-1 forms with ANY other entries than interest, dividends, or royalties.

If you are on Medicare, you are considered to have coverage for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If you have received a Premium Tax Credit for 2019, that requires us to fill out additional forms with your return. If you do not have a 1095-A, B, or C form, you can obtain one from your employer or from healthcare.gov BEFORE your appointment.

We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment to fill out required IRS intake information forms. If you have itemized deductions, we ask that you summarize and list all deductions before you come, to optimize the 45- to 60-minute appointment schedules.