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BUTLER COUNTY — With the 2008 tax season underway, AARP is providing a tax aide program across southwest Ohio for seniors and low-income residents until April 10.

Volunteers from AARP will be available for one-hour sessions at various locations throughout Butler County.

John Holubeck, head of recruiting volunteers for Hamilton, Butler, Warren and Claremont counties, said there are about 45 tax sites throughout the different counties offering aid.

"We have trained tax counselors that have to go to classes in January and they have to pass a test that is actually determined by the IRS and AARP Tax Foundation," Holubeck said. "They have to pass that test and they become certified and then what they do it prepare all the taxes—federal, state and local taxes—for the senior citizens."

AARP has been offering the tax aide program for 40-years.

Naomi Hoskins, the local coordinator for Butler County, said the program is emphasized for senior citizens but it is not limited to them.

"We talk to (tax payers) and find out if they really need to file taxes," Hoskins said. "Occasionally there are people who don't have to because of income."

According to Holubeck and Hoskins, about three out of four returns are done electronically.

In order to get the best help, Holubeck said tax payers need to bring in their tax records reaching back to 2005, stressing the more information brought in, the better job they can do.

Butler County is offering the AARP tax aide program at six different locations—Fairfield Lane Library, Oxford Lane Library, Hamilton Lane Library, Senior Center in Hamilton, Senior Center in Oxford, and the West Chester Administration Building. Aid is offered different days at each location and appointments are needed, except for the West Chester Administrative Building. To make an appointment at a Lane Library, call 894-6557.

For more information, call 888-687-2277 or visit www.aarp.org/taxaide.