Patrons File in for Free Tax Preparation

Though the day shift for tax assistance began just an hour ago, about 20 people are already in the first of two waiting rooms  at the Sherwood Regional Library.

 “It saves a lot of trouble and it’s inexpensive,” said Eugene A. Margerum, who was a mathematician for 30 years and has been coming to Sherwood for tax assistance for the past few years.

Tax-Aide, a tax assistance program affiliated with the AARP, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program, sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, have set up camp in Northern Virginia and nation-wide to provide tax assistance to residents.

Fairfax County offers two Tax-Aide locations at Sherwood Regional Library in the Hybla Valley area and Centreville Regional Library giving help to anyone who comes in needing tax assistance that does not relate to business. There are also five VITA locations for people with incomes under $49,000.

The tax assistance programs have enjoyed considerable popularity in the past few years, said Skip Meiers, Sherwood’s local Tax-Aide coordinator.

The library helps about 1,200 to 1,500 people a month from early February until the federal tax deadline. Sherwood is open six days a week.

Along with demand comes waiting, and at Sherwood there is a lot of it.

“If they want to get here on a one shot, meaning get in and get out, then they better be the first ones here,” Meiers said.

Meiers works with a staff of 25 each required to work at least two shifts a week. There are eight stations for the all-volunteer staff and all but two are filled Monday. Volunteers, dressed in denim shirts, go over the tax forms with patrons.

“I’ve always thought it was fun to do taxes,” Meiers said about volunteering for Tax-Aide. He had always done his own and said he enjoys the altruism of helping others during the crunch of tax season.

Meiers says it takes 45 minutes to an hour to do a form. Volunteers are made up of people who are familiar with taxes.

“Its rare to get an accountant,” Meiers says.

Once volunteers fill out the tax forms, they are then checked by software for any missing or conflicting information and then its back to the waiting room.

Patrons have to wait until another volunteer is available to review the form with them, which takes another 15 to 20 minutes and then, finally freedom. The taxes are sent in electronically and a copy of the form is given to the patron so they can walk back out into the outside world.

Tax preperation is offered at the Sherwood Regional Library on 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane Monday through Saturday.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, they are open  1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Tuesday, they are open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For information on tax preperation services at other locations, visit the Fairfax County website or view our interactive map: Tax-Aid and VITA Locations in Northern Virginia