Free Tax Preparation Assistance in New Jersey

Tax time is approaching so if you need help preparing your tax return, there are free tax sessions and appointments in towns throughout New Jersey.

Somerset County
Tax Talk will be hosted by the Bound Brook Library, 402 E. High Street in Somerset County from 7 pm to 9 pm on Feb. 28. A representative from H&R Block will be there to answer tax questions, explain common tax preparation mistakes and discuss tax updatd for 2011. This free program is open to the public but registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or register online.

Monmouth County
The Asbury Park Library is hosting tax preparation help until April 8. No appointment is necessary; first come first served. For more information, click here or call the library at (732) 774-4221. There also will be tax assistance at the Gas Building in Asbury Park until April 7. Call (732) 938-1080 for more information.

AARP volunteers will be available at Monmouth County libraries until April 14, 2011 to help low- and middle-income taxpayers (but you don't have to be a senior citizen) with simple returns. Volunteers will be at the Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm and Tuesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Volunteers will also be on hand at the Eastern Branch Library, 1001 Highway 35, Shrewsbury, NJ on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm; Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, and Sundays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. People also can go for tax help at the Wall Township Library, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall, NJ on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Tax preparations will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. People should bring last year's tax returns with them. Depending on the volume of clients, the volunteers may stop taking new people an hour or more before the end time. For more information, visit the Monmouth County Library web page or contact Coleen Dee Berry, Monmouth County Library, at cberry@monmouthcountylib.org or 732-294-5483.

The Matawan-Aberdeen library is making appointments for free, one-on-one tax preparation assistance with AARP volunteers,who will be available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 am to 4 pm through April 12. Call the circulation desk at 732-583-9100 or visit the library to make an appointment,.

Camden County
The AARP also will have volunteers in Cherry Hill to assist senior citizens with federal and state income tax returns, Homestead Rebate Forms and Property Tax Reimbursement (PTR) Forms until April 12. Tax preparation assistants will be available from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays at Town Hall, 820 Mercer St., Cherry Hill in Room 208. Complex returns such as those involving businesses or rental income will not be prepared. No appointment is needed, but you should bring a copy of your 2009 returns, all relevant tax statements, receipts & forms, your Social Security card or SSA-1099 and a PTR form if one was mailed to you). If you have additional questions, call the Mayor's Office at (856)488-7878 or the Recreation Department at (856) 488-7868 .

To find other locations tax assistance from AARP volunteers, visit their website or call (888) AARP-NOW.

Morris County
Roxbury Township Library in Succasunna, NJ, also will host volunteer sessions for tax help. AARP volunteers will provide free tax preparation at the library Monday and Thursday mornings. Call the library at 973-584-2400 ext. 501 to make an appointment .

Essex County
In Newark ,free income tax preparation services are available from New Jersey Citizen Action for those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Those whose household income is less than $48,362 may also receive free tax filing assistance. Call 1-999-TAXES-11 for more information or to make an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted. Sessions will take place 10 am to 7 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays at 23 West Park Street in Newark. People should bring to their appointments documents including Photo IDs, Social Security Cards (or ITINs) for everyone listed on the return and all W-2 and 1099 forms. For a complete list of what to bring, go here.

Also in Newark, Newark Now/VITA are providing free tax preparation services to New Jersey families with household earnings below $49,000 and individuals without dependents, whose income is less than $25,000. Walk-ins are accepted or you can make an appointment by calling 973-624-FREE. Locations and hours for this free service are:

Newark City Hall , 920 Broad St., Room B29
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 3pm - 8pm; Sat.: 10am -2pm

Newark Now Financial Empowerment Center , 103 Bloomfield Ave.
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 3pm - 8pm; Sat.: 10am - 2pm

One Stop Career Center , 990 Broad St.
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 10am - 2pm

Essex County Dept. of Citizen Services , 50 South Clinton Street, 1st Floor, East Orange
Hours: Wed. - Fri.: 10am - 2pm

Essex County College, EOF Area , 303 University Avenue
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri.: 10am - 2pm; Wed. 3pm - 7pm

Episcopal Community Development Corporation , 620 Clinton Avenue
Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 10am - 2pm

The Ironbound Community Corporation also will be assisting people with their tax returns at two Newark locations. Until April 18, people can go to Investors Savings Bank, 275 Chestnut Street, from 5 pm to 8:30 pm Monday through Thursday or from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. For more information, call 973-465-0555. Until April 14, taxpayers can visit the Family Success Center - East at 29-31 Cortland Street from 3:30 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information:
973-344-5949.