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Photograph by Skye Dunalp
Gary Hekkert doles out some free tax advice to Philip Grieves.
Sunnyvale Senior Center offers free tax advice
By Kelly Wilkinson
Every year, the inevitable tax frenzy sets in as April 15 approaches. And every year, the Sunnyvale Senior Center responds with a free tax counseling program for its members.
As part of a joint program with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the senior center will provide free tax help two mornings a week, until the April deadline. The service is nationwide and available to all middle- to low-income taxpayers, and incorporates over 31,000 volunteers across the country.
The majority of the appointments take place at the senior center, but some of the volunteers make visits to nursing homes and individuals' houses if people can't make it to the senior center.
Al Reichter, the local AARP tax-aide coordinator, has been doing his own taxes all his life, and says he wanted to share his experience with others.
"A lot of people are confused by the IRS rules," he said, which change every year. "Congress passes new laws that they claim simplify the laws, but they always have an opposing effect, and make it all more confusing."
All 11 tax-counselor volunteers at the senior center are required to take a training class at the beginning of each season in order to familiarize themselves with the new laws and ensure retention from previous years.
"Most of them are pretty simple," Reichter says. "But all of us forget something from year to year. If someone's return gets too difficult, we tell them to go away and see a paid professional."
Appointments last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, and all appointments are usually booked each year, according to Reichter. There are still some appointments left before the April deadline next week, but he expects them to fill.
"It always gets a little hectic towards the end," Reichter said. "It's a natural inclination to put things off until the end, especially when it's going to cost money."
Charles Wahl, awaiting his appointment with papers in hand, has used the service for three years.
"I just prefer someone else do [my taxes] who knows something more about it than me," Wahl said. "I probably could do them myself, but I don't want to make any mistakes, especially with the IRS."
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
