The makeshift office is abuzz with activity, printers humming and laptop computers at the ready as several senior citizens go over their 2009 taxes with volunteers at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center in Newhall.

Martin Flaucer, and his wife Harriet, of Friendly Valley are among the dozens of local residents being helped from this Tuesday afternoon.

“I’ve used this service several times over the years. It’s free and someone else is filling out the paperwork. It’s terrific. They do everything for you and it’s accurate,” Martin Flaucer said. “If you don’t like it, you can get your money back.”

Through April 14, Internal Revenue Service/American Association of Retired People certified preparers are on hand at the center on Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:30–3:30 p.m. to review or prepare returns, which are electronically filed directly after the meeting.

According to volunteer Linda Cory, a Valencia accountant who offers her services one day a week at the center, the majority of returns are relatively simple to execute. “Most seniors are low to moderate income,” she said. “We have had some challenging cases that we’ve had to send away, people that have rental properties and such. We do basic returns here, we don’t do Schedule Cs. If you own your own business, we probably won’t be able to do your return, unless it’s very simple.”

Participants need to bring their Social Security statements, pension information, 1099 forms and last year’s return in order to be able to process the 2009 return. Appointments can be made through the senior center and since the program is so popular, especially as April 15 draws close, should be scheduled as soon as possible.

“Just be prepared, bring all your information,” Cory advised. “If you don’t have all your info, we can start the return process and have you come back, but it’s smarter to be prepared.”

Cory noted that the tax system has greatly improved since she started preparing returns in 1996.

“It’s nice because with an E-file, it all comes up in the computer system. Everything used to be manual,” she said.

Jim Ozasky of Valencia has volunteered his time during tax season since 2001, after completing the senior tax certification process, which requires a week of training and passing a test with the IRS,  

“I have a strong interest in accounting and doing taxes. I’ve always done my own taxes,” he said.

Ozasky estimated that the senior centers process up to 600 returns each season. Since tax laws change from year to year, it’s important that seniors are advised of the new deductions, such as the Make Work Pay tax credit passed through the American Recovery & Reinvestment plan as part of the federal government’s stimulus package.

“Many seniors are working and this credit means many could get up to $400 back,” Ozasky stated. “There are also residential energy credits for homeowners who have added energy-efficient doors and windows that many people don’t know about. It’s hard for people to keep up on the tax changes. What works one year doesn’t always work the next.”

For those who prefer to prepare their own return, volunteers are available to facilitate or review their work.

Volunteers can also get complex questions answered through direct access to the IRS phone hotlines or the AARP TaxWise Web site.

With their electronic filing capabilities, returns at the center are uploaded to an IRS Web site upon completion, which usually results in a refund return within seven to 10 business days, either via check or through direct deposit to the taxpayer’s bank account.

“This allows seniors to get money back at a time where there are few opportunities to get money back from the government. They have spent their entire lives paying into the system, so they should get as much back as they can,” Ozasky said. “For the most part, people feel really good leaving here.”

Income tax service appointments for local seniors can be scheduled by calling (661) 259-9444 or by visiting Elaine or Diane in the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center office, located at 22900 Market St., Newhall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.