DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for your reply to Faithful Reader (Jan. 13) about the cancellation of the Circuitbreaker program and the new Property Tax Fairness Credit. It will be helpful for many. I benefited from that program, which helps. me pay my increasing real estate taxes.

I wonder if you can find out how a person can determine their adjusted gross income if he or she does not file income tax because of lower income.

Thank you for any help! — No Name, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots would just use the 1040A or EZ form to get the adjusted gross income. They’re available online at irs.gov, and there are only a couple of questions to answer to get that number. If any kind of tax form is beyond you, see the answer to the next question for how you can get help.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to understand why I have to still fill out tax forms. I’m 77 years old and only get Social Security and a small pension. I don’t get the property tax break, and it still costs me money to fill out the tax forms each year. Thank you for any help you can give me. — D.K. via email

ANSWER: You actually may not have to fill out tax forms. Many seniors do not. 

However, even if you do, you do not have to pay to have your taxes done. Not only is there free online filing for low-income filers through Free File (www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free), but numerous community groups offer help for free.  

Sun Spots has supplied the information she has for AARP’s tax help and the CA$H Coalition. There are undoubtedly other programs and locations besides those listed below. If you know of one Sun Spots missed, please send it along and she will rerun the entire list again in February. 

AARP

AARP tax aide volunteers assist with simple Maine and federal income tax returns at no charge.

This year many people who have not needed to file income tax forms in recent years  will need to file the Maine Income Tax Form 1040 in order to obtain the Property Tax Fairness Credit.

According to the AARP, there has been a significant decrease in the amount of money you can receive under this program, and some people who qualified for the Circuitbreaker will not be eligible for the new Property Tax Fairness Credit. Renters who live in subsidized housing will not be eligible for this credit unless they receive Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income Disability payments. 

Bridgton Community Center, 647-3116.

Carrabassett Valley Public Library, 246-2157.

Fryeburg Library, 935-2731.

Lewiston Armory, 513-3170.

Norway Memorial Library, (new number) 333-6448.

Poland, Ricker Memorial Library, 998-3166.

Rumford, SCORE office, 364-3633 between 5 and 7 p.m.

CA$H Coalition

Volunteers from the CA$H Coalition will also help poor or moderate-income residents with tax forms in several towns.

In the Twin Cities, volunteers will be preparing state and federal income tax returns and filling out tax credit applications for qualified taxpayers by appointment through April 5 in Auburn Hall and Lewiston’s Memorial Armory. Interested residents should call 207 513-3160 for an appointment.

The Twin Cities income tax filing support program will focus on financial literacy as much as filling out the right forms with the 2014 “Take the Money; You’ve Earned It.” You can read more about this program at http://tinyurl.com/m9pomdp.

In Franklin County, free tax preparation runs through March 22. 

The tax site will be open on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the third floor of Roberts Learning Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

While walk-ins will be served as time permits, please schedule an appointment to ensure tax preparer availability. For an appointment, call 778-7954.

The public is also invited to learn how to earn, save and make the most of their money and officially celebrate the launch of the free tax-prep program at the “Earn It, Keep It, Grow It” celebration planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Save-A-Lot in the Mt Blue Plaza on the Wilton Road. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/nytg9zc.

If your town is not listed above, go to www.cashmaine.org/find to locate the service nearest you.

And, finally, anyone who needs assistance, regardless of income level, can also call Maine Revenue Services at 626-8475.

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 [email protected].