Tax Day isn’t until April 17, but the Seattle Public Library, United Way of King County, and AARP are already at work to help people prepare their returns at no charge.
Drop-in assistance from trained volunteers will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis at 10 library branches throughout Seattle — including Queen Anne (400 W. Garfield St.) — with appointment-based help at another two locations.
At the Queen Anne branch, volunteers will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, starting Feb. 3.
To receive help, filers are asked to bring Social Security cards and health care coverage information for each person listed on the tax return, a government-issued photo ID, income tax forms such as W-2s and 1009s, and — if applicable — tuition statements and a check with bank account and routing numbers for the direct deposit of a refund. A copy of last year’s return is recommended as well.
The Internal Revenue Service is unable to provide certain tax forms and instruction booklets due to federal budget cuts, but most forms are available online at www.irs.gov, and black and white prints can be made from library computers at a cost of $0.15 per page. Those forms can also be ordered at www.irs.gov/orderforms and by phone at 1-800-829-3676.
In addition to library branches, the Magnolia Community Center (2550 34th Ave. W.) is also offering free tax help by appointment with the help of trained volunteers, on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 206-386-4235 to schedule a time.
For more information, and a full list of library branches offering tax help, go to www.spl.org/taxhelp, or call the library at 206-386-4636.
This story has been updated.