Free tax clinics for senior citizens set in February throughout area

Financial Fitness Services will hold free tax clinics throughout the month of February to help senior citizens, 60 and above, with their Missouri property/rent tax refund filings.

“Each year some residents of Missouri are eligible to receive a refund of all, or a part, of their paid real estate taxes or rent paid,” said Donna Taylor, financial counselor for Financial Fitness Services. “Many seniors are not required to file federal and Missouri tax returns, but they are eligible to file for the refund on a MO-PTC (property tax credit) form.”

These clinics provide preparation of these returns free of charge. Items needed for filing are: verification of all income, paid real estate tax receipts (city and county) or verification of rent paid (Missouri Department of Revenue Verification of Rent Paid, Form 5674, or equivalent).

Following are the locations, days, dates, and times: Gideon City Hall, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 9; Shining Light, 721 W. Marshall St., Charleston, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14; Scott County Collector’s office, Benton, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 16; and office building at 1515 E. Malone, next to License Bureau, Sikeston, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 (call for an appointment);

For more information, call 573-212-2459; text to 573-380-1434; or find the Facebook page: Financial Fitness Services.

Also, the AARP Tax-Aide program will provide tax preparation assistance at the Sikeston Public Library from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday mornings, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 2. Please note the time change from afternoons to mornings, said Ron Eifert, director of Sikeston Public Library.

Volunteers can prepare simple federal and state tax returns, along with the MO-PTC form for the state of Missouri. They plan to return to the pre-COVID procedures where tax forms are taken and filed on the same day, eliminating the need for a return visit.

“Please bring all documents with you when you arrive for assistance,” Eifert said. “An initial intake form will be required, and no tax forms will be prepared until the intake form is completed.”

No appointments will be taken; assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis within the timeframe available each day, Eifert said.