CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 PROTECTIVE MEASURES
All Thurston County Tax-Aide Sites have been closed until further notice to protect those most at risk, including our volunteers and taxpayers and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We regret the inconvenience this will cause taxpayers but have no choice given an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide National Office directive and recent restrictions imposed by the Thurston County Board of Health.
Although the federal government is considering extending the April 15th federal filing deadline, the IRS has not yet done this. In the meantime, the IRS has announced that it has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus which can be found by clicking here.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will continue to assess whether we can open again in some or all sites for the remainder of the tax season and if the tax season is extended.
Taxpayers who have yet to file their federal tax returns have two choices at this time: 1.) they can prepare and e-file their return themselves or with the assistance of a family member; or 2.) go to a paid tax preparer.
If needed, taxpayers can also seek an automatic six-month extension of the federal filing deadline but generally must estimate their tax liability and pay any amount due to avoid possible interest and penalties. Click here for further information about this.
Taxpayers with incomes below $69,000 can find free tax preparation and e-filing software by visiting the IRS website discussing its Free File program which can be found by clicking here. This software can also be used to request an extension of the federal filing deadline.
Free Income Tax Preparation
Free federal income tax preparation services by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers begin January 31 at eight locations in Thurston County. Tax-Aide welcomes taxpayers of all ages and income levels, making a special effort to serve taxpayers 50 years or older, and low- and moderate-income households. AARP membership is not required.
Last year, IRS-certified volunteers in Thurston County e-filed 2,500 returns; helping local taxpayers claim $2.5 million in refunds, and file for the Earned Income Tax Credit
and other tax credits.
Taxpayers can visit https://taxaidewa20.org to learn about site locations and hours, what documents to bring, and limitations on the types of returns Tax-Aide can prepare.
An online appointment can also be made at one of our three appointment sites.
Walk-in tax preparation sites are:
● Lacey Timberland Library – Thursdays and Saturdays
● Virgil S. Clarkson Lacey Senior Center – Tuesdays and Thursdays
● Panorama Chalet Apartments – Wednesdays and Fridays
● Olympia Community Center – Tuesdays and Thursdays
● Tumwater Timberland Library – Mondays and Wednesdays
Appointment sites are:
● McLane Black Lake Fire Department – Monday evenings, schedule an
appointment online or call (360) 670-0286
● Yelm Timberland Library – Tuesdays, visit the Yelm Library Reference Desk
during normal Library hours, schedule online, or call (360) 559-1349
● Rochester Organization of Families – limited Wednesdays, call 360-273-6375 or
schedule online.
Appointment sites accept walk-ins if a slot is available.
Those seeking assistance with their 2019 tax returns must show government issued photo ID (driver’s license) for the taxpayer (and spouse, if married filing jointly) and Social Security cards or ITINs for taxpayers and dependents. Bring all income report forms such as W-2s, interest and dividend, miscellaneous income and all other tax related information as well as your prior year’s tax return.
Volunteers can help with most returns, unless they have complicated factors for which we are not trained. Returns are out of scope for:
A business with employees, losses, expenses over $25,000, or home office
Farm income or expenses
Married Filing Separately, unless living apart all year with no comingled income
Rental income from land with a structure
Donated motor vehicle, boat or airplane with a value greater than $500
K-1 with more than just income, royalties, interest, dividends or capital gain
Moving expenses
Locations and hours for January 31 through April 15:
LOCATION ADDRESS HOURS
Lacey Timberland Library
500 College St. SE, Lacey Thursdays & Saturdays, 11 am - 4 pm
McLane Black Lake Fire Department
125 Delphi Rd NW, Olympia Mondays, 4 - 8:30 pm
125 Delphi Rd NW, Olympia Mondays, 4 - 8:30 pm
Panorama Chalet Apartments
1650 Circle Ln SE, Lacey Wednesdays & Fridays, 12 - 4 pm
ROOF Community Services
10140 Hwy 12 SW, Rochester Every other Wednesday starting
February 5, 2020, 10 am - 2 pm
Olympia Community Center
222 Columbia St NW, Olympia Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12- 4 pm
Tumwater Timberland Library
7023 New Market St.,
Tumwater
Mondays & Wednesdays, 1 - 5 pm
Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center
6757 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12 - 4 pm
Yelm Timberland Library
210 Prairie Park St., Yelm Tuesdays, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Extended hours on select Tuesdays and Thursdays