Around this time each year I begin to see the looks of concern, frustration and dread on people’s faces simply because it is income tax time.

Tax laws seem to change as often as the weather and not everyone can keep track of what has been added or subtracted. AARP Tax-Aide can help.

AARP Tax-Aide is a free, quality, volunteer-run assistance and counseling preparation service that can prepare and electronically transmit your return directly to the IRS.

It is a national, charitable, not-for-profit program available to taxpayers with low and middle income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Nationally last year, approximately 32,000 dedicated, trained and IRS-certified volunteers helped over 2.5 million taxpayers with their federal and state returns.

At our Adams County site last year, we did our part with six certified counselors helping local taxpayers file over 300 federal returns and over 200 stimulus-only returns. If you have not taken advantage of this service in the past, you are missing an opportunity. It is free, safe, confidential, accurate and fast. You will receive any refunds due to you usually within 10 days if you have it electronically deposited to your bank savings or checking account. Receiving your refund by check will take a little longer.

If you choose to avail yourself of this service, there are some items you should bring with you when you visit the site. You will need a Social Security card or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents, a copy of last year’s tax return, all documents defining your income for 2008, such as W-2 forms, Social Security benefits paid, all 1099 forms showing income, and all forms indicating federal income tax paid. If you are going to itemize deductions you will need to bring all the supporting documentation for deductions you want to claim.

This year there are two additional pieces of information you will need to bring. You will need to show any real estate taxes you paid during the year even though you do not normally itemize your deductions. Also, bring the amount of your stimulus payment before any offset you received in 2008. The stimulus payment is not taxable but is used to determine if you can recover any stimulus moneys you may not have received last year. Those taxpayers with complex tax returns outside the scope of our training and certification will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.

The Adams County site is again located at the Judge George W. Armstrong Library, 220 South Commerce St. in Natchez. We will begin seeing clients from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 from and again every Wednesday until April 15. We are only open one day each week. In some instances, we can visit taxpayers in nursing homes and other locations, if they are physically unable to visit a site.

We are a confidential service that assists with the preparation of tax returns and answers tax questions. If you have low to moderate income and would like some free help in accurately preparing your federal and state tax returns, gather up your tax information and come see us. We will take the worry out of tax time.

Billy Parker is the district coordinator of AARP Tax-Aide.