Free tax help available

Need help with your taxes? Eligible taxpayers are encouraged to take advantage of free tax preparation assistance in the Annandale/Mason area.

Volunteers from the AARP Tax-Aide program will be stationed at the Mason District Government Center (6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale) through April 15 to help taxpayers on a walk-in basis. The program is free for people with low or moderate income and is targeted to those age 60 and over.

This service is available on Mondays and Thursdays 1-8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

All tax returns will be filed electronically. You’ll need to bring last year’s tax return, a photo ID, Social Security card, W-2 form from employers, income statements, documents showing you are in compliance with the Affordable Care Act, checkbook or direct deposit information, and other relevant documents.

Residents confined to their home due to illness can call 703-594-6576 to schedule an appointment with an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer.

There’s also an AARP Tax-Aide program at the James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-534-3387.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and operated in Northern Virginia by a coalition of local agencies, provides free tax assistance to people who earned $53,000 or less in 2014.

VITA is available at the Fairfax County SkillSource Center, 7611 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, through April 15 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring all necessary IDs and documents.

VITA volunteers are also stationed at the Bailey’s Community Center (5920 Summers Lane, Falls Church) Wednesdays 6-9 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through April 15 and Thomas Jefferson Library (7415 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church) Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon through April 11.