Free tax assistance for older adults and low- and middle-income taxpayers at the Weaverville Library (41 North Main Street) every Thursday from Noon until 5 p.m. through April 15. Details:

The AARP Tax-Aide Program, in cooperation with the IRS, N.C. Dept. of Revenue, and The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Inc. will again offer free tax preparation for low- and middle-income taxpayers, as well as older adults (age 60+), from February 1 through April 15, 2010.

Electronic filing (E-file) is available for safe and accurate preparation and fast refunds.

Locations and Times

• Senior Opportunity Center, 36 Grove Street (Next to Employment Security Commission, 350-2062
  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-5 p.m.
• Weaverville Public Library, 41 North Main Street, 250-6482
  Thursdays Noon- 5 p.m.
• West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, 250-4750
  Tuesdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Black Mountain Library, 105 N Dougherty Street, 250-4756
  Tuesdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Taxpayers should bring the following documents:

• Social Security cards and Identifications for taxpayers and all dependents
• Previous year’s (2008) tax return
• W-2 forms from each employer
• 1099 forms for Social Security, Pension, Interest, Dividends, Broker/Mutual Fund Income and Miscellaneous Income.
• Detailed list and receipts for Medical Expenses, Charitable Contributions, Real Estate Taxes, Mortgage Interest, if claiming itemized deductions.
• Real Estate Tax invoice, invoice for a new car purchased after February 16, 2009 and receipts for Charitable contributions for special credit this year, even if not claiming itemized deductions.
• A blank check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking or savings account.

Limited homebound assistance is available for persons with disabilities; contact The Council on Aging at 277-8288; ‘homebound’ means no ability to travel to a tax aide site due to physical frailty.

Appliance Tax Holiday information from Buncombe County News (I’ve also been told Lowe’s will be offering an additional 10% off all Energy-Star Appliance purchases during the tax holiday):

Tax Holiday for Energy Star Appliances – November 6 – 8
Are you thinking of renovating your kitchen or just updating a few appliances? If so, you may want to take advantage of the sales tax holiday for certain Energy Star qualified products coming November 6 – 8, 2009.

According to the Department of Revenue, an Energy Star qualified product is a product that meets the energy efficient guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy and is authorized to carry the Energy Star label. Clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, and programmable thermostats will be exempt from State and local sales and use tax when purchased during the sale tax holiday period. There is no threshold, as is the case with items sold during the August sales tax holiday for clothing, school supplies, computers, etc.”

For more information, see:
Energy Star Qualified Products Sales Tax Holiday

For more information on federal tax credits for Energy Star appliances, see:
Tax Credits for Consumers

If you don’t like taxes you won’t like this news from the North Carolina Department of Revenue website:

Increase in State Sales and Use Tax
The 2009 North Carolina General Assembly has enacted legislation that provides for a temporary additional 1% State sales and use tax effective September 1, 2009 and will expire on July 1, 2011.  Senate Bill 202 was ratified by the House of Representatives and the Senate on August 5, 2009 and has been signed by Governor Perdue.

As a result of the additional 1% State rate increase, the combined State and county tax rate will increase to 8.25% in Mecklenburg County, 8% in Alexander, Catawba, Cumberland, Haywood, Martin, Pitt, Sampson, and Surry Counties, and 7.75% in the remaining ninety-one counties.

The combined general rate of tax, which applies to telecommunications service, ancillary service, video programming, and spirituous liquor other than mixed beverages, is the State’s general rate plus the sum of the rates of local tax authorized for every county in the State.  Therefore, since the additional 1% has been temporarily increased, the combined general rate will increase to 8% in all counties, including Mecklenburg County, until July 1, 2011.

More information and resources available at http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/rate_increase2009.html

The Buncombe County Council on Aging will again be offering free tax assistance for the elderly beginning Feburary 1 through Tax Day, April 15.  Volunteers will be at the Weaverville Library Noon-5 p.m. every Thursday.  Here’s the details:

Trained volunteers assist with tax preparation at various locations February to mid-April through cooperation with the AARP Tax Aide Program.

Help is offered to older taxpayers through the Tax-Aide Program of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The program’s volunteers are trained in cooperation with the federal Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. When seeking help, bring:

• a copy of last year’s forms and verification papers of expense and income.
• any 1099 and/or W-2 forms showing income you earned or pensions or Social Security payments you received.
• 1099 forms showing interest or dividends you have earned.
• receipts or canceled checks for medical costs or property taxes you have paid or for any contributions you have made to charitable organizations.

Beginning February 1, assistance will be available at the following locations:

• Senior Opportunity Center – Mondays 10 – 3 , Wednesdays 12:30 – 4:30, and Fridays 10 – 3
• West Ashville library – Tuesdays 9 – 3
• Weaverville Library – Thursdays 12 noon – 5
• Black Mtn. Presbyterian Church – Saturday 10  – 3

Assistance for homebound individuals may be arranged by calling the Council on Aging at 277-8288.