Free income tax preparation assistance is available locally through April 10 through the Tax-Aide/Tax Counseling for the Elderly program.

Tax-Aide/TCE is a service of AARP, the retired persons organization, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. The free program helps lower-income, elderly and handicapped taxpayers.

Volunteers can prepare simple federal and Pennsylvania tax returns. Counselors also can prepare applications for rent rebates and can alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible.

Volunteers will not prepare complicated returns for those who own businesses or rental properties or who are self-employed. The IRS does not permit volunteers to complete Schedule C for business owners because preparing them is not part of the training.

The IRS says those seeking assistance should have: photo identification; Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents; birth dates for dependents listed on the tax return; wage and earning statements including W-2 and 1099 forms and other relevant materials showing income for 2007; copies of 2006 federal and state returns; the 2007 tax package if one arrived in the mail; bank routing and account numbers if a tax refund is to be direct deposited; and the total paid for day care and the day care provider’s identification number. Landlord-signed forms are required for Pennsylvania rent rebates.

Tax-Aide/TCE volunteers will be available at:

• Shenango Valley Senior Center, 220 N. Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Taxpayers are asked not to arrive before 11 a.m.

• Knights of Columbus hall, 170 Clarksville Road, Greenville – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

• Sharon City Building – 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Keystone Blind Association, 1230 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon – 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by appointment only by calling 724-347-5501.

• Sharpsville Borough Building – 9 a.m. to noon Monday.

• Pine Grove Community Center, Barkeyville Road outside Grove City near the Pine Township firehall – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.