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Seniors benefit from free AARP tax prep with SCOPE

If you are a Trumbull County older adult S.C.O.P.E. Senior Services assists with various programs and services. S.C.O.P.E. stands for ‘Senior Citizens Opportunity for Personal Endeavors’ and is one of many agencies supported financially by the Trumbull County Senior Levy.

One of SCOPE’s largest

projects by the number of people who are assisted each year is our partnership with the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program with their free tax preparation.

The months of February, March and April are quite busy at our centers with this worthwhile and needed project.

AARP Tax preparation is FREE for low- to moderate-income families and to all senior citizens.

We are proud to once again support the tax prep program as one of its senior support services projects.

Over 30 volunteer tax preparers assist senior citizens, disabled, veterans and any age low-income residents with free tax preparation throughout the valley.

Led by regional AARP representative Bob Kovach, these volunteers who are thoroughly trained support close to 3,000 people with their federal and state taxes.

The volunteers are provided with over 20 hours of training through the IRS system making it the number one volunteer tax preparation in the country.

We’re often asked, “What should I bring with me?”

AARP suggests bringing all of the paperwork from last year’s filing. Please bring to your appointment photo ID(s), social security card(s), last year’s return, income information, Affordable Care Act Forms 1095 or proof of hospitalization insurance.

If you plan to have a direct deposit of your refund, then bring a copy of one of your checks with you.

Both the taxpayer and spouse should be at the appointment.

l The Warren Preparation site will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, 444 Mahoning Ave. NW.

Tax appointments are not made at the library.

You must stop by the Warren SCOPE to pick up a tax packet at 375 N. Park Ave or call 330-399-8846 to make an appointment and pick up a packet.

l The Champion site will be open by appointment on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave. NW.

To make an appointment, call or stop by Warren SCOPE to pick up a packet.

l The Hubbard site will be open by appointment on Mondays at the Hubbard Library, 436 W. Liberty St.

The Liberty Administration Building will be open by appointment on Wednesdays. Make reservations for either location by calling the Hubbard Library at 330-534-3512.

l The Niles SCOPE Senior Center will be open by appointment on Fridays.

It’s located at 14 E. State St. Appointments are required and can be made by visiting the Center to pick up a packet or call 330-574-2888.

l There is also a tax site at the Girard Multigenerational Center. Call 330-545-6596 to make those reservations.

SCOPE also provides free one-on-one support for Medicare, prescriptions, social security, utilities and technology training for cell phones, laptops and computers.

SCOPE has six community senior citizen centers throughout Trumbull County. Five other senior centers are governed by nonprofits.

Contact Mike Wilson, director of SCOPE Senior Services, with column topics at 330-399-8846.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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