CONEJO VALLEY : Tax Help Offered by Senior Citizens

Low-income and elderly taxpayers can receive free help in preparing their income tax forms from a group of retired senior citizens in east Ventura County.

Thirty-two trained volunteers from the Conejo Valley Retired Senior Volunteer Program have already helped about 100 people with federal and state tax forms since the annual project started last week, said Norm Glowienke, a retired Agoura Hills accountant who is coordinating the program. In 1991, about 1,000 people were assisted, and more are expected this year.

“We want to get to low-income people because they can’t afford to pay for tax service,” said Louise Danielle, director of the Conejo Valley volunteer organization.

Volunteers are at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 E. Avenida Simi, from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays through April 13. From 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through April 14, they are at the Human Services Center, 80 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. From noon until 3 p.m. Wednesdays through April 8, help is available at the Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through April 9, volunteers are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

Assistance at the Simi Valley Senior Center is by appointment only. All other locations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each taxpayer is asked to bring a copy of his or her 1990 federal and state income tax forms; any current tax booklets received in the mail; all 1099 forms and W-2 forms; expense records; and the name, address and phone number of the taxpayer’s landlord if filing a renter’s credit claim.