AARP’s free tax return preparation program for seniors, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, will operate from the Adams County Office for Aging (ACOFA) 318 W. Middle Street in Gettysburg. Returns will not be prepared for the general public at the Brethren Home this year.
Due to COVID-19, procedures continue to be different from usual and the program will still be limited in the number of people assisted this year. The process is slightly different from last year so please read carefully. ALL tax preparation will be done by appointment ONLY.
The process is as follows:
Taxpayers MUST make an appointment and bring all tax documents to ACOFA on the appointment date. Appointments will be scheduled every 15 minutes on Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:00 – 11:15 am and 12:30 – 1:45 pm.
Please call ACOFA to schedule your appointment, 717-334-9296. Appointments will begin on Tuesday, February 8 and conclude on Wednesday, April 13.
The process requires you to leave your tax documents with the volunteers. Your return will be prepared without you sitting with the preparer. You will come back that same day, or possibly the next day, to sign your return. One of the consent forms that the taxpayer/s is/are required to sign gives us permission to prepare your return with this method. If you are not comfortable with this, please DO NOT request an appointment with us.
At your appointment:
- Bring photo identification for all taxpayers on the tax return.
- The interview/intake sheet will be completed and any consent forms signed.
- All taxpayer documents will be left with one of our trained and certified volunteers for preparation.
- The taxpayer can wait at the ACOFA while the return is being prepared, or leave and return that same day. A phone number where the taxpayer can be reached that day is required.
Please follow these instructions on the day of your appointment:
- MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
- Please arrive on time. Each appointment is only for 15 minutes. Go in the front door of the building and the receptionist will let you into the waiting area. Please note that this is different from last year.
- Bring your own pen to sign your return.
- Have all your 2021 tax documents removed from their envelopes before coming in.
- If you receive a letter from the IRS, please bring it with you.
- If you want any refund to be direct deposited, have your bank account and routing number available. These are located at the bottom of your bank check. Do not bring in a deposit slip; it does not contain all the information we need.
- Bring the envelope with your prior year return in case we need to refer to it.
- If you are unable to make your appointment, please call ACOFA, 717-334-9296, to cancel or reschedule. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to reschedule an appointment, but we will try.
We will not be preparing any Amended Returns until the end of the filing season. If you receive additional tax documents after your tax return has been prepared and e-filed, you will have to wait until the end of the filing season to correct the original return. The IRS has already announced that service will be slower than in 2021. The need for an amended return could significantly delay your refund.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.