TAXES : Volunteers to Provide Free Help With Forms

Free assistance in completing federal and state income tax returns is being offered to special groups of San Gabriel Valley residents through a volunteer program sponsored by churches, libraries and community centers.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly consists of teams of volunteers trained by the Internal Revenue Service. The program is available to residents age 50 and older, blind and disabled taxpayers, and to low- to moderate-income families. Some locations offer services in languages other than English. Participants are asked to call for an appointment.

The local program is coordinated by the IRS office in El Monte, 9050 Flair Drive, first floor; (818) 312-6985; Mya Aung, IRS coordinator. The El Monte office provides free electronic filing Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through April 17.

Assistance also is available at the following locations:

* Alhambra--Joslyn Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave.; 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; (818) 282-3741.

* Arcadia--Community Center, 365 Campus Drive; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays; (818) 574-5130.

* Covina--Joslyn Center in Kelby Park, 815 N. Barranca Ave.; 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; (818) 966-6378.

* El Monte--Iglesia Comunidad Cristina Church, 4735 Peck Road; Wednesdays by appointment; (818) 443-4553.

* El Monte--Jack Crippen Center, 3120 Tyler Ave.; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; (818) 580-2210.

* El Monte--San Gabriel Multi-Culture Center, 3017 N. Tyler Ave.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; (818) 575-5418.

* Glendora--La Fetra Center, 333 E. Foothill Blvd.; by appointment Mondays, Feb. 27, March 13 and 27; (818) 914-0560.

* Monrovia--Community Center, 119 W. Palm Ave.; 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays; (818) 357-3797.

* Monterey Park--Langley Senior Center, 400 W. Emerson Ave.; by appointment Thursdays; (818) 307-1396.

* Rosemead--Community Center, 3936 N. Muscatel Ave.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays; (818) 288-6719.

* San Gabriel--St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1901 S. San Gabriel Blvd.; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; (818) 288-8912.

* South El Monte--Library, 1430 N. Central Ave.; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; (818) 443-4153.

* South El Monte--Senior Citizens Center, 1556 Central Ave.; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays; (818) 448-0131.

* West Covina--Senior Citizens Center, 2501 E. Cortez St.; 9 a.m. to noon Fridays; (818) 331-5366.