By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Volunteer tax preparers will be a little more careful checking identification and qualifications at free tax seminars this year.

On Tuesday, Twin Cities and state officials joined tax preparation volunteers and representatives from the Internal Revenue Service to tout a tax credit for the poor. It’s the third year that Lewiston and Auburn have teamed up to encourage residents to get the free tax advice and take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal program that can mean up to $4,400 a year in tax refunds for those who qualify.

The IRS has come under fire recently for freezing thousands of refunds under that program while it checked those returns for fraud.

“Congress directed us to check those refunds more carefully, looking for fraud,” said Charles Swett, a senior tax specialist with the IRS. “They wanted us to make sure people really qualified for the refunds.”

The fraudulent returns came from more urban areas, Swett said. It hasn’t been a problem in mostly rural Maine. Taxpayers using the credit can help avoid problems by taking advantage of the free tax preparation sessions offered by the cities this year, he said.

“It will be a better quality review,” Swett said.

The free tax preparation sessions are scheduled weekly beginning Jan. 23 in Lewiston’s Multi-Purpose Center and Hillview, at Auburn Hall and at the Norway Memorial Library on Main Street in Norway.

A special tax return preparation day is being offered Feb. 11 at Andover College.

Appointments are necessary. Those interested in getting tax help should phone Lewiston City Hall at 784-2951, ext. 109.