Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Free help available to file basic tax returns

Free help in preparing basic federal and state income tax returns is being offered again this year, with trained volunteers available to help those who cannot prepare their own tax returns, have low to moderate income, are disabled, have limited English skills, or are elderly.

For more information or updates, call AARP Tax-Aide at (888) 227-7669; the Aloha United Way hot line at 211; or AUW at 275-2000 (or (877) 275-6569 on neighbor islands).

Among the items you must bring: photo ID; Social Security card (also for spouses and dependents, if applicable); current year's federal and state tax form packets, if received; wage/earnings and interest/dividend statements; copy of last year's income tax returns; and other relevant information regarding income and expenses.

Free electronic filing is available at most sites. The Internal Revenue Service says that with electronic filing of federal returns, taxpayers can get refunds back "in half the time, and, even faster" through direct deposits. Check www.irs.gov for more information.

The free tax help program is co-sponsored by AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS, the state Department of Taxation, the Armed Forces, and various community groups, educational institutions and financial institutions.

Dates are subject to change without notice.

» Nursing homes/homebound: From 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, appointment only. Call Bankole Idowu, 341-3813.

HONOLULU

» AARP Information Office, 1199 Dillingham Blvd., A-106: from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through April 15.

» Aina Haina Public Library, 5246 Kalanianaole Highway: from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays through April 12; from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Feb. 2 and March 1. Closed Feb. 16 and March 21.

» Alu Like-Central, 458 Keawe St.: from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through April 12; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. By appointment only; call 535-6700.

» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St.: from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 5 through April 15.

» Goodwill Industries Beretania, 1075 Beretania St.: from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 3. Appointment only, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, call 284-4979.

» Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd., Room 11: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 5 through April 15. Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese spoken.

» Hawaii Kai Public Library, 249 Lunalilo Home Road: from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through April 12. French spoken.

» Ho'opono Rehabilitation Center, 1901 Bachelot St.: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday Feb. 23 only, for blind or visually impaired only. For appointment, call Jon at 586-5267.

» Kalihi Palama Public Library, 1325 Kalihi St.: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through April 11.

» Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center, 1640 Lanakila Ave.: from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays, Feb. 4 through April 14. Closed Feb. 18, but open Feb. 19. Appointment only, call Iris Hiramoto, 847-1322. Japanese spoken.

» Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, 924 Bethel St.: from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 31, by appointment only; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, walk-in. Call Carmen, 527-8050.

» Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Kukui Tower, 35 N. School St.: from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 through March 25. Appointment only, call Carmen, 527-8050.

» Oahu Worklinks-Dillingham, 1505 Dillingham Blvd., No. 110: from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 10. Appointment only, call 843-0733.

» Paki Hale, 3840 Paki Ave.: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 5 through April 15. Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese spoken.

* Susannah Wesley Community Center, 1117 Kaili St.: from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Feb. 2 through April 12. Closed Feb. 16. Chinese, Laotian, Thai spoken.

* Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, 545 Queen St., No. 100: from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5 and April 12 only.

CENTRAL/LEEWARD OAHU

» Aiea Public Library, 99-143 Moanalua: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 5 through April 8; from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 8, 15, 22 and 29 only.

» Hickam FCU-Kapolei, 91-590 Farrington Highway, No. 501: from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays through April 5. Various times available weekdays. Appointment only, call 432-9840.

» Leeward Community College BE-229, 96-045 Ala Ike: from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through March 29.

>> Legal Aid Society of Hawaii/Waianae HCAP, 85-555 Farrington Highway: from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 6 through March 28; appointment required, call Carmen, 527-8050. Tagalog spoken.

» Olaloa Retirement Village, 95-1050 Makaikai St.: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 6 through April 9.

» Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 91-1010 North Road: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, February only.

» Saint Jude Catholic Church, 92-455 Makakilo Drive: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 10.

» VLSH/Waianae LCC, 86-088 Farrington Highway: from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 and March 15 only.

» Wahiawa Public Library, 820 California Ave.: from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays through April 11. Closed March 21. Japanese spoken.

» Waialua Community Association, 66-434 Kamehameha Highway: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 5 through April 15.

>> Waianae Community Center, 85-670 Farrington Highway: from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 5 through April 15. Tagalog spoken.

» Waipahu United Church of Christ, 94-330 Mokuola: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 5 through April 15.

» WCA/Waipahu Weed 'n' Seed/Empower Oahu, 94-340 Waipahu Depot Road: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through April 9; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

WINDWARD OAHU

» Brigham Young University-Hawaii, 55-220 Kulanui St., International Student Services: from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, March 1 through April 12. Appointment required weekdays, call 675-3520. Special services for nonresident aliens.

» Community of Christ Church, 45-119 Kaneohe Bay Drive: from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 5 through April 15. Call 247-4178 for appointment. Chinese and Japanese spoken.

» Kahuku Public School/Library, 56-490 Kamehameha Highway: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 10.

» KEY Project, 47-200 Waihee: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through April 5; closed Feb. 22, March 21 and 22, and April 11 and 12.

» Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church, 93 N. Kainalu Drive: from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Feb. 4 through April 14.

» VLSH Waimanalo Health Center, 41-1347 Kalanianaole Highway: from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 and March 29 only.