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Free Tax Help Eases Minds Of Seniors

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)

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.