Community Corner

Yorktown Volunteers Prepare Free Tax Returns for Residents

AARP volunteers are available at the YCCC every Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at the John C. Hart Memorial Library on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Twice a week, during tax season, Gene Doody of Yorktown makes the trip to the  where he helps residents prepare and file their tax returns before the deadline. 

"I was retired," Doody said of why he started volunteering more than 10 years ago. "It's something to keep me busy. I enjoy meeting new people and helping people."

Doody, a retired financial analyst for IBM, said often the same people come back to see him every year for help with their tax returns. He is one of the trained and certified AARP volunteers who offers free tax returns at the YCCC.

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"It's convenient for some people," he said. "This is the senior center. They come to get lunch and get their taxes done at the same time. Taxes can be a little confusing today, so they prefer to have someone else help them out."

Doody, a Korean War Navy veteran has lived in Yorktown for more than 50 years. He and his wife settled in town right after their honeymoon. Doody said tax returns used to be done on paper until recently when they started using computers. Now, when he prepares the tax returns for a resident, everything gets submitted and sent electronically. 

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AARP volunteers undergo schooling for a week in January at the Westchester Community College to get updated on tax laws and how to use the computers, which are supplied by the IRS, he said. They're also required to pass a test before they can be certified. 

There are 110 volunteers who help out residents with their taxes at 20 locations around Westchester County. The free tax return program, started in late 1978, provides help to low and middle income residents as well as senior citizens. 

"Like a lot of people, you like to keep sharp," District coordinator for the Westchester County AARP tax aide program Bill White said of why he got involved. "A lot of people get a good feeling to help someone. Tax returns are complicated. Taxpayers are usually appreciative even if they have to give money back [to the government]."

White said the busiest time is the last week of February, when people had received their federal and state forms, and the first couple of weeks in April, when people realize the April 17 deadline is fast approaching.

Janet Romm, of Cortlandt, is a retired lab technologist who has been going to the  for help with her tax returns.

"I think they're doing great," she said of the AARP volunteers. "It's terrific. I think they enjoy [volunteering], otherwise they wouldn't do it."

One senior said it was a "relief" for her to have someone else do the tax returns because all she had to do was put her papers together. 

Larry Alfano, the AARP coordinator for the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center site, said people have been grateful to get their tax returns done for free, especially when independent accountants could charge between $200 and $300.

White said people should always keep an accurate record and make sure they have all necessary documents prior to arriving at one of the sites for tax help.

The following people are AARP volunteers at the YCCC site: Gene Doody, Peggy Ryan, Jane Beck, Mark Shaiken, Marge Slachmuylder, Pat Fraleigh, Larry Alfano, Bill White and Linda Andreozzi. 

AARP volunteers are available to help residents prepare and file their tax returns at the  every Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Mondays at the  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Be sure to bring needed paperwork for federal and state forms. For more information, click here. To learn more about the AARP, click here.

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