CARIBOU, Maine — The AARP Tax-Aide group at the VFW Hall in Caribou began shorter hours on March 30, continuing until tax season is ended.
The new hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Site coordinator Bob White said the numbers of clients needing assistance has fallen steeply since the weeks right after season opened.
“It seems to make little sense to open a building and have volunteers all set up to work when there may be no clients. Should there be a late season surge in traffic, we will be able to respond by bringing Saturday hours back to the schedule,” White said.
COVID-19 social distancing and masking rules will be rigorously enforced. There will be limited capacity for clients in the building at any one time. When numbers exceed that capacity, clients will be asked to wait in their vehicles until space becomes available.
Clients must bring Social Security cards or other paperwork showing Social Security numbers for everyone in the household. Clients are also required to provide a photo ID for the primary person on the return, as well as all pertinent tax documents. If paperwork is missing, clients will be asked to return another time with all necessary documents.
As always, clients should bring a copy of the most recent prior year return, and this year, they should bring their own pens.
Intake facilitators will, if needed, assist each client in filling out the intake information the IRS requires. Each client will be assigned to a qualified preparer who will generate their return, which will be reviewed by another preparer before it is approved and printed. Every client will be given a printed copy. Unless the client wishes to paper file, the group will e-file the return. On rare occasions, a paper file may be required.
If a client wishes to have direct deposit of a refund, or direct withdrawal of a payment, they must provide a copy of a check from their bank account.
