DEAR SUN SPOTS: Will there be free tax help for seniors at the Lewiston Armory this year? — Richard, no town

ANSWER: According to the CA$H Maine website (https://www.cashmaine.org/find-your-location/), it doesn’t look like the tax return preparers will be at the Armory this year. You can, however, take a picture of your tax documents (or scan them) and securely send them to their tax preparers online through GetYourRefund (https://www.getyourrefund.org/en). This service will open at 1 p.m. Jan. 31. Once you sign up on the website, a volunteer will contact you to get the process started and a trained, IRS-certified volunteer will prepare and double-check your tax return to make sure it’s correct before filing.

If you don’t mind going to a location in Farmington, there is a CA$H Maine “Scan & Go” option at the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area at 218 Fairbanks Road. This is by appointment only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 778-5048.

Another option is the University of Maine at Farmington’s Roberts Learning Center at 270 Main St. by appointment only on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to  3 p.m. To schedule, call 778-5048.

I’ll also repeat the information from the Jan. 11 Sun Spots: AARP Tax-Aide will be providing free income tax preparation services for low- and moderate-income taxpayers for the 2023 filing season.

Beginning the week of Feb .6, experienced IRS certified tax volunteers will be preparing and electronically filing federal and Maine income tax returns. They will be working at Sacred Heart Church at 8 Sacred Heart Place, corner of Minot and Western avenues in Auburn.

This service is by appointment only and all ages are welcome. You do not have to be a member of AARP to use this service. To make an appointment, call 513-3170 and leave a message. Be sure to clearly say your name — spell it if it is a difficult one — say and repeat your phone number. A scheduler will call you back to set up a time for an appointment.

Be sure you have all your tax information ready for the date you choose and schedule a later date if you are not certain of being ready. They will also have a person who will prepare Maine Property and Sales Tax Credit returns over the telephone if that’s all you require and don’t want to come into the tax site.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can we play basketball at the Armory during the day if there is nothing going on there? I would like to take my grandchildren. — Richard, no town

ANSWER: Since the city of Lewiston’s Recreation Department oversees athletics and activities at the Armory, I emailed Nicole Welch, the recreation director, and here is an answer straight from her: “Thank you for promoting our programs and activities. Please have them contact us directly at 513-3005, or at recdept@lewistonmaine.gov. This way, we can learn more about their needs and offer services to them if available.”

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name. We won’t use it if you ask us not to. Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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