The late Jerry Dickerson started a program 26 years ago that has helped countless Granby residents prepare their taxes. It began in the Granby Public Library but is now available at the Senior Center. The AARP Foundation Tax Aide program is free of charge. You do not need to be a member of AARP or be of advanced age to participate.
The Granby AARP Foundation Tax Aide preparers are trained every year on the latest editions of the tax laws and are required to pass a test to be certified. There are certain returns that they are not trained to do: business returns, trust/estate returns and complex investment returns. For all regular returns, however, they are ready, willing and able.
Tax preparation takes place in February and March. Residents who desire to use the service should call the Senior Center ahead of time to schedule an appointment, and pick up a packet that explains the process. The packet includes the Intake Booklet, which requests information the preparer will need. At the appointment, the preparer interviews the client and reviews the booklet information and prepares the return.
A second preparer reviews the return to make sure it is as accurate as possible. If the client agrees with the preparation, both the state and federal taxes are filed electronically. Printed copies are given to the client for their records. This year, the service prepared 175 tax returns for residents.
The Granby tax aide team currently consists of Judy Jones, Cheryl King, Aurelle Locke, John O’Connor, Cindy Schulz, Mary Smoolca and Bruce Sullivan. Locke has been in the program for 23 years, including 15 as site coordinator. Sullivan is the senior member of the team, having served 25 years. After many years as a preparer, he is now the client facilitator, phoning clients with appointment reminders and answering questions they might have. When the client arrives for their appointment, he guides them to their preparer.
The individuals on this team have a wide variety of significant professional careers behind them and are happy to be retired and able to help with this necessary service. They gratefully acknowledge all the help the staff of the Senior Center provide.