Free Tax Preparation Assistance Available

Low-income families and individuals can receive free help preparing their taxes as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Trained students and volunteers will work alongside program supervisors who are familiar with new tax laws. The service is available to people whose income was less than $40,000 in 1999. Specialized services are available for senior citizens, non-English speakers and the disabled.

Taxpayers are asked to bring their 1999 W-2 forms, the tax booklet they received in the mail, interest dividend statements and records for deductions, and a copy of their 1998 tax returns.

The service is limited to the 1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ federal and 540A and 540 EZ state forms. Volunteers do not prepare estimated taxes, business-related forms or nonresident returns.

Tax preparation is on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (818) 677-4519 unless otherwise noted. The service will be offered at the following locations:

* Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Business Building Room 2111; 5 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 14 through April 10, and Wednesdays, Feb. 16 through April 12.

* Granada Hills Branch Library, 10640 Petit Ave., Granada Hills; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 17 to April 13.

* McCambridge Park, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank; 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 12 through April 8.

* Mid-Valley Regional Library, 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 15 through April 11.

* Mission College, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar; 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, March 18 through April 15, except March 25.

* Office of Councilwoman Laura Chick, 19040 Vanowen St., Reseda; 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 15 through April 11.

* Organization for the Needs of the Elderly, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays and Fridays, Jan. 31 through April 14, by appointment only; (818) 705-2345.

* Panorama City Library, 14345 Roscoe Blvd.; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 12 through April 8.

* Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Business Administration Building, Room 3218, Woodland Hills; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 16 through April 12, except March 22; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 19 through April 15, except March 25, (818) 719-6479.

* Santa Rosa Center, 511 Kalisher St., San Fernando; 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 12 through April 8.

* Sylmar Library, 13059 Glenoaks Blvd.; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 16 through April 12.

* United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 12 through April 8.

* Van Nuys Federal Building, 6230 Van Nuys Blvd., Room IS14; 1:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 18 to April 14.