Tax Return Help for Seniors and Others

Mike Teresa

Project SCOUT, Inc. a senior citizen’s outreach non-profit corporation serving Santa Cruz county’s seniors, low income, disabled and non-English speaking residents will be available to prepare the year 2000 federal and state income tax returns for anyone in need of assistance. The volunteers who prepare the returns and file them electronically at no charge, are trained by the Internal Revenue Service in January. They will be available through the tax season although the service is available all year round for late or corrected returns. They can also come to your residence if travel is difficult for you. For more information, call the Project SCOUT office, 831-688-7240.

 
A location in the mountains has not been established yet, but the secretary at the Project SCOUT office will know when a location with volunteers is established. The information will also appear in the Mountain Network News.

Other services available from Project SCOUT are the preparation of applications for the Homeowners and Renters (HRA) credit, preparation of will and living trust, assistance with Medicare and MediCal paperwork, blood pressure and health checks at senior centers in the county, financial advice by a Certified Financial Planner and registered investment advisor, assistance in applying for low income senior citizen energy rates if the client is qualified, property tax postponement and general in-home assistance with household record keeping and bill payment.

The Project SCOUT office can refer you to other agencies if SCOUT cannot provide the services you need. In addition to calling the office, you can call local resident, Michael Teresa, 408-353-4031 for information. All services from Project SCOUT are free to residents of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties.