CONTACT:  Julie Willmot
(609) 278-7137

TRENTON, N.J.—Many sites throughout Mercer County will offer Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance to help residents prepare and file their 2009 taxes, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said.

The AARP Foundation is providing Tax-Aides to assist with 2009 tax preparation at Mercer County Connection, libraries, and other sites this tax season. The deadline for filing 2009 tax returns for both state and federal taxes is April 15, 2010. Below is the list of sites where free income tax preparation assistance is being provided:

AARP Tax-Aide Program sites in Mercer County

Mercer County Connection (957 Route 33, Hamilton) - For taxpayers with low and middle incomes, with special consideration for those age 60 and older. Mondays and Fridays, February 5 through April 12. By appointment only, call (609) 890-9800.

Ewing Library Branch, Mercer County Library System (61 Scotch Road, West Trenton) – Wednesdays, 2 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. By appointment only, call (609) 882-3148.

Robbinsville Library Branch, Mercer County Library System (42 Allentown-Robbinsville Road, Robbinsville) - Wednesdays, beginning February 3. By appointment only, call (609) 259-2150.

Lawrence Library Branch, Mercer County Library System (2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence) – Thursday afternoons. By appointment only, call (609) 882-6920.

Hickory Corner Library Branch, Mercer County Library System (138 Hickory Corner, Road, Hightstown) - VITA tax preparation, Saturdays beginning February 6. By appointment only, call (609) 448-1330.
More information on assistance at Mercer County Library branches can be found at http://webserver.mcl.org/programs/taxhelp.html.

In addition, residents should either call 211, the non-emergency Helpline, to get the locations of the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or visit www.earnedincometaxcredit.org to obtain information on the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Other sites offering free tax assistance by appointment are:

Clay Street Learning Center
2 Clay Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 924-3448
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lawrence Senior Center
30 East Darrah Lane, Lawrence, NJ 08648-3761
(609) 844-7048
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

McCorristin Square
99 Leonard Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08610-4850
(609) 890-3686
Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hamilton Senior Center, 49 Cypress Lane
Hamilton, NJ 08619-3703
(609) 890-3686
Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. -- Walk-ins Welcome

Crisis Ministry, Trenton Office
Through April 10,
Thursdays and Friday 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon.
Walk-ins welcome. For information, call Dara Lewis, Client Services Director, 609 396-9355 extension 14 or dlewis@thecrisisministry.org

Boys & Girls Club Trenton
212 Centre Street, Trenton
(609) 392-3191

Trenton Division of Recreation
North Clinton Community Center
454 North Clinton Ave., Trenton
(609) 989-3356

Mercer County Hispanic Association
18 E. 6th Avenue, Hamilton
(609) 587-8800