Calls for appointments are pouring in at DeKalb’s Elder Care Services. Mary Rongey came in for the second year in a row. She says she knew she needed the extra help because her husband used to keep track of the couple’s finances.
“This is where he came before he passed away, and then I just came back here. It’s all kind of new to me.”
Rongey says she’s been satisfied with the help she gets.
“I think you need someone who knows what they are doing, somebody that can answer your questions if you have any questions. They know what they are talking about.”
According to the Internal Revenue Service, there are more than 7,000 sites nationwide taking part in AARP’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program. It relies on volunteers to help people over the age 60.
Linda Fredrickson of DeKalb says she has been using the free tax help for a couple of years.
“We are on a fixed income so it helps a lot. Some of those tax preparers -- their fees -- are expensive.”
DeKalb’s Elder Care Services says the hour-long appointments are filling up fast. The IRS also has an online locatorto help people find the closest site.
DeKalb County:
Elder Care Services - 1701 Lincoln Highway, 815-758-6550
Tuesdays 1-4 p.m. (by appointment only)
DeKalb County Community Outreach Building - 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road, 815-217-0192
Thursdays 9 a.m. - noon (walk-ins welcome)
Thursdays 1-4 p.m. (appointment only)
DeKalb Public Library - 309 Oak Street
Saturdays 9:30-12:30 p.m. (walk-ins only)
Sycamore Methodist Church - 160 Johnson Avenue, 815-757-1800
Wednesdays noon - 4 p.m. (walk-ins only)
Sycamore IDEAL Industries Training Center - 1122 Park Avenue
Saturdays 9 a.m. - noon (walk-ins only)
Genoa Resource Bank - 310 S. IL Route 23, 815-784-8301
Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. - noon (walk-ins only)
Winnebago County
Ken Rock Community Center - 3218 11th Street, Rockford, 815-398-8864
Thursdays 9 a.m. -3 p.m. (appointment required)
Northwestern Illinois Agency on Aging - 1111 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, 815-226-4901
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 3p.m.
Thursdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (appointment required)
Community Services, 705 Kilburn Avenue, Rockford, 815-963-1609
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (appointment required)
Thursdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (appointment required)
Golden Agers Center - 1115 6th Avenue, Rockford, 815-962-0407
Wednesdays 9 a.m. – noon (appointment required)
Cherry Valley Library - 755 E. State Street, Cherry Valley, 815-332-5161
Wednesday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. (appointment required)
Thursdays 9 a.m. -3p.m. (appointment required)
Hand N Hand Child Care Center – Loves Park, 815-633-5817
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – noon (appointment required)
Thursdays 9 a.m. – noon (appointment required)
Talcott Free Library - 101 E Main Street, Rockton, 815-624-7511
Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (appointment required)
Thursdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (appointment required)