[ Briefly ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 18, 2002 by Capital-Journal

Briefly

Tax aid is available through groups

Free income tax return preparation help is available through two organizations in Topeka working in cooperation with the IRS. Tax Aide, People Helping People, administered through the American Association of Retired Persons foundation, offers free tax assistance to senior citizens age 60 and older; and The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers assistance to the those with special needs, the disabled, non-English speaking persons and the elderly.

Tax Aide volunteers must complete an IRS training course in basic income tax return preparation before they can assist taxpayers.

Complicated tax matters should be referred to a professional tax preparer.

Tax Aide volunteers will be available this week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, 1720 S.W. Topeka Blvd.; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Sweet Building, 622 S.W. Topeka Blvd.; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Salvation Army Citadel, 1320 S.E. 6th; from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at Lowman United Methodist Church, S.W. 15th & Gage Blvd.; and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center, 2200 S.W. Gage Blvd.

For additional information, call Community Action Inc., 235-9296.

VITA volunteers will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at the Docking State Office Building, 915 S.W. Harrison; 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th; 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the Washburn Law School, Room 103, 1700 S.W. College; and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Topeka Labor Temple, 1209 N.W. Eugene.

For more information or to volunteer, call (800) 829-1040.

Taxpayers who visit a Tax Aide or VITA site should bring the following:

- This year's Federal/State tax package.

- Wage and earnings statements (Form W-2) from all employers.

- Interest statements from banks (Form 1099), plus other pension forms: FORM 1099-INT, 1099-dividends and RRB 1099 Interest and dividend statements from banks, credit unions and railroad retirement.

- Social Security card.

- A copy of last year's tax return, if available.

- Property tax for this year and last year.

If you don't have all these items, bring what you can.

Discover More Dollars course planned

Consumer Credit Counseling Services will offer A Discover More Dollars course from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lucille Perkins Room at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th. The course will cover financial goal setting, developing a budget, cutting costs, evaluating spending habits and starting a savings plan.

The class is sponsored by Capitol Federal Savings Bank and attendance is free and open to the public. However, reservations are requested. To register, call 234-0217, Ext. 368.

Consumer Credit Counseling is a division of HCCI. HCCI is a nonprofit organization that provides education and counseling on credit, debt repayment, budgeting, tenant-landlord issues and homeownership.

Moms Club plans party

Moms Club of Topeka, a support group for stay-at-home mothers and their children, will have a Spring Meet Other Moms Party at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church, 1234 S.W. Fairlawn Road. Moms and children will enjoy a fun spring fashion show with emcee Chris Gallagher, of 107.7 KMAJ; clothing provided by local clothier, Branded. Veda Journagan of Kindermusik will lead an interactive music experience. There also will be refreshments and door prizes.

The local Topeka chapters of Moms Offering Moms Support offer monthly meetings, playgroups, service projects, mom's night out, and a fun weekly activity for moms and their children. For more information contact Kristin Chapman at 233-5694 or Lisa Sikes at 862- 6252.

Medication offered to seniors for a flat fee

Pfizer Inc.'s "Living Share Card" program enables needy senior citizens to buy a 30-day supply of Pfizer's medicines for a flat fee of $15 per prescription. Eligible seniors must be 65 years old, have an individual reported annual gross income below $18,000 or joint reported gross income below $24,000 and have no other prescription coverage.

For information, call (800) 717-6005 or visit www.pfizerforliving.com.

Groups to meet

The following groups and organizations will meet this week:

- Active Primetimers --- Monthly meeting. Program: The Melodears chorus of the Topeka Womans Club. 11:30 a.m. today, Holiday Inn Holidome, 605 S.W. Fairlawn Road. Reservations are required and should be made with Marjorie Huhs, 272-8637, or Mary-Jane Shankland, 272-5759.

- Downtown Topeka Kiwanis Club --- Weekly meeting. Speaker: Kansas Insurance commissioner Kathleen Sebelius. Noon today, Florentine Room, Jayhawk Tower, 700 S.W. Jackson. A meal will be available for $5.50.

- The March volunteer meeting will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Preston Hale Room at Historic Ward-Meade Park, 124 N.W. Fillmore. The program will be "Behind the Scenes at Historic Ward-Meade Park and Botanical Gardens," presented by Ray Schroeder, horticulturist at the park. All Ward-Meade volunteers are invited. Anyone interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at Historic Ward-Meade Park also is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 368- 3888.