Local AARP Tax-Aide groups will again provide free income tax assistance for low income and senior citizens.

From Feb. 2 through April 15, tax assistance will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week at the Pittsburg Public Library.

Taxpayers wishing to have their taxes done should bring a copy of their 2009 federal and state tax returns, along with copies of all W-2 forms, 1900s and either their property tax statements or rent information including the name of address and telephone number of their landlord.

Local counselors underwent training Jan. 24-28 at the library under the direction of Dr. Wilmer Huffman, long-time State of Kansas tax instructor. Attending the school were tax counselors from Pittsburg, Girard, Chanute and Parsons.

Pittsburg Tax-Aide counselors include Bob Backes, Ken Burbach, Henry Buset, Ron Clement, Lorraine Goodwin, William Huffman, Guy Owings, Rick Shaw, Tom Sims, Harold Thomas and Jim Thomas.

The IRS announced on Dec. 23, 2010, that some tax payers will need to delay filing their federal returns until mid to late February 2011 if they were impacted by recent legislative changes. The delay impacts taxpayers who file at least one of the following: Schedule A, Itemized Deductions; Tuition and Fees Deduction; Educator Expense Deduction; and Casualty and Thefts, Form 4684.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service available to taxpayers having low to moderate incomes, with special attention to those age 60 and older. More than 33,000 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, now help more than 2 million taxpayers file their federal, state and local tax returns each year at nearly 7,000 AARP Tax-Aide sites nationwide.

Last year the Pittsburg AARP Tax-Aide group assisted more than 900 area families and individuals with their returns.