Tax Assistance

Free tax preparation assistance is available for low-income families and individuals as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and a service of the American Assn. of Retired Persons.

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 2000. Specialized services are available for senior citizens, non-English speakers and the disabled.

Taxpayers are asked to bring their 2000 W-2 forms, the tax booklet they received in the mail, interest dividend statements and records for deductions, and a copy of their 1999 tax returns.

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

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

1. Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Business Building Room 2111; 5 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, now through April 4.

2. Councilwoman Laura Chick’s office, 19040 Vanowen St., Reseda; 9 a.m. to noon, now through April 12, by appointment only. (818) 756-8217 (Offered by AARP for people 50 and over); 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, now through April 3, first come, first served.

3. Granada Hills Branch Library, 10640 Petit Ave.; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, now through April 5.

4. McCambridge Park, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank; 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, now through March 31.

5. Mid-Valley Regional Library, 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, now through April 3.

6. New Horizons, 15725 Parthenia St., North Hills; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, now through April 12, by appointment only; (818) 894-9301, Ext. 332. (Offered by AARP; No income limit at this location.)

7. Organization for the Needs of the Elderly, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, now through April 13, by appointment only; (818) 705-2345.

8. Panorama City Branch Library, 14345 Roscoe Blvd.; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, now through March 31.

9. Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Business Education Building, Room 3218, Woodland Hills; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, now through April 4; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, now through April 7; (818) 719-6479.

10. Santa Rosa Center, 511 Kalisher St., San Fernando; 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, now through March 31.

11. Sylmar Branch Library, 13059 Glenoaks Blvd.; 4:45 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, now through April 4.

12. Valley Presbyterian Hospital, 15107 Vanowen St., Van Nuys; 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, now through April 10, by appointment only; (818) 902-3911.

13. Van Nuys Federal Building, 6230 Van Nuys Blvd., Room IS14; 1:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays, now through April 6.

14. United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, now through March 31.

Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times