Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Agencies offer assistance
in filing annual tax returnsOnce again, the AARP, Internal Revenue Service and state Department of Taxation are sponsoring the Tax-Aide Program, with trained volunteers offering free help to senior, low-income, non-English-speaking or disabled taxpayers in preparing federal and state tax returns.
No appointment is needed unless specified. Electronic filing is available as noted (E-file).
The free service is good beginning February through April 15 on the days specified.
For more information, call the AARP Tax-Aide line at 888-227-7669 or the IRS at 800-829-1040.
For neighbor island locations, call 877-275-6569.
Honolulu
>> AARP Office, 1199 Dillingham Blvd., Room A-106: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon; closed March 26. E-file.
>> Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St.: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 -11:30 a.m. Closed March 26. E-file.
>> Hawaii Kai Library, 249 Lunalilo Home Road: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. call Daniel Clement, 395-5991. E-file.
>> Hawaii Services on Deafness, 310 Paoakalani Ave., Room 201-A: By appointment only. Call Audris Wataoka or Cathy Reimers at 926-4763/TTY or e-mail Wataoka@HSOD.hawaii.rr.com. For hearing impaired only.
>> Ho'opono Rehabilitation Center, 1901 Bachelot St.: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, March 2 only. By appointment only. Call Jon Koki, 586-5267. For visually impaired only.
>> Kalihi-Palama Library, 1325 Kalihi St.: Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. E-file.
>> Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA, 4835 Kilauea Ave.: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Closed March 26. E-file.
>> Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center, 1640 Lanakila Ave.: Mondays, 8 a.m.-noon. Closed Feb. 18, open Feb. 19. By appointment only. Call Iris Hiramoto, 847-1322. E-file.
>> Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, 924 Bethel St. By appointment only. Call Wayne Keawe. 528-3482.
>> Liliha Library, 1515 Liliha St.: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. E-file.
>> PJKK Federal Building, 5th Floor, 300 Ala Moana: Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30-11 a.m. Also, Monday, April 15, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Closed March 26. No state-only paper returns; E-file only.
>> Susannah Wesley Community Center, 1117 Kaili St.: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon.
>> Waikiki: Paki Hale, 3840 Paki St.: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (closed Feb. 14 and March 14, 26 and 29), 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. E-file.
>> Roving-Nursing Homes/ Homebound: Saturdays. By appointment only. Call Kalfred Chang, 531-8863.
Central/Leeward Oahu
>> Aiea Library, 99-143 Moanalua Road: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed March 26.
>> Ewa Beach Library, 91-950 North Road: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. E-file.
>> Leeward Community College, Room BE-226, 96-045 Ala Ike: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon.
>> Olaloa Retirement Village, 95-1050 Makaikai St.: Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. E-file.
>> Pearl City Library, 1138 Waimano Home Road: Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. E-file.
>> Wahiawa Library, 820 California Ave.: Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. E-file.
>> Waialua Community Association, 66-434 Kamehameha Hwy.: Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. E-file.
>> Waianae Community Center, 85-670 Farrington Hwy.: Mondays and Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon. Closed Feb. 18.
>> Waipahu Civic Center, Rm. 102, 94-275 Mokuola Drive: Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. E-file.
Windward Oahu
>> Brigham Young University, General Classroom Building, Room 150, 55-220 Kulanui St.: Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Closed April 6. Special services also for nonresident aliens.
>> Community of Christ Church, 45-119 Kaneohe Bay Drive: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-noon. Closed Feb. 18. Walk-in or by appointment. Call 233-7320 or 247-4178. Japanese spoken. E-file.
>> Kahuku Library, 56-490 Kamehameha Hwy.: Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed Feb. 13. E-file.
>> St. Christopher's Church, 93 N. Kainalu Drive: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11:30 a.m. E-file.
>> KEY Project, 47-200 Waihee Road: Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Closed March 29 and 30.
IRS toll-free service
Another way to get free help is by calling the IRS, 800-829-1040, with federal tax questions from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays during the filing season.Call 800-829-3676 for tax forms and instructions for current and prior years, as well as a variety of free publications.
Call the IRS TeleTax number, 800-829-4477, to hear recorded messages on more than 100 tax topics, including "Who Must File?" "Highlights of Tax Changes," "Education Credits," "Individual Retirement Accounts," "Earned Income Tax Credit," "Should I Itemize?" and "What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Tax."
TeleTax also allows you to check the status of your 2001 income tax refund. You must provide your Social Security number (the first one listed on the return if you filed a joint return), the filing status used on the return and the dollar amount of the expected refund. Automated refund information is generally available four to five weeks after you have filed your tax return.
Hearing-impaired individuals with access to TTY/TDD equipment may call 800-829-4059 to ask questions or to order forms and publications.
All this information also is available at the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com