Help filing taxes couldn’t come at a more useful time than this year, and those low-income folks living on Social Security and pensions who aren’t usually required to file will want to be sure and do so.

To be eligible for the federal governments economic stimulus payments, individual tax forms must be filed, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS will use these to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of stimulus payment due, which will be sent out automatically starting in May.

To assist anyone who needs help in filing – not just retirees – the AARP Tax-Aide program provides free income tax preparation locally in Poulsbo and Little Boston. The service is offered regardless of age or income.

“We want people to know that they might miss out if they don’t file their taxes,” said Edward Ramey, local coordinator for the Tax-Aide program.

According to the IRS, “Even those who have little or no tax liability may qualify for a minimum payment of $300 ($600 if filing a joint return) if their tax return reflects $3,000 or more in qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes Social Security and veterans disability compensation, pension and survivors benefits.

“The $300 is better than a kick in the teeth,” Ramey said.

Most individuals will qualify for $600 ($1,200 if filing jointly) with an additional $300 per qualifying child. Those who have already filed taxes this year need not do anything extra.

To help make sure everyone gets their incentive payments, volunteers trained by certified instructors under the guidance and supervision of AARP and the IRS are available through April 15 at Martha and Mary in Poulsbo from 1-5 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at the S’Klallam Tribe House of Knowledge Elders Center from 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays.

The AARP program has been available in Poulsbo for several years, but this year, the Little Boston site was added to serve tribal members and anyone else in the North End who needs help.

Ramey said last year about 350 individuals were provided assistance and he anticipates more than 450 will be served this year due to the impact of the economic stimulus payments. He noted the IRS supervises volunteer training and IRS software is used to ensure taxes are filed correctly.

Sandra Starnes, cash management officer with the SKlallam Tribes social services department, is coordinating the Little Boston program. She said she was motivated to implement it after seeing a lot of elderly and low-income tribal members in past years lose tax credits due to them because unqualified tax preparers were used or they tried to muddle through the complicated tax forms themselves.

“They’re losing money that is rightfully theirs,” she said. “They need those tax credits for their survival. It’s a major concern for everybody in North Kitsap.”

She presented the idea of partnering with the AARP program to the S’Klallam Tribal Council and said they were very pleased to support it. The tribe is providing use of the Elders building, purchased computers to process tax forms, and has allowed some staff to help get the program started during their regular working hours.

Those seeking help from the Tax-Aide program are asked to bring a copy of last year’s tax return (if available), all income information including W-2, 1099 and unemployment forms, social security and photo ID cards, and information for itemized deductions including details on dependent care providers, divorce and custody settlements and power of attorney.

Military families will be referred to sites at Naval Base Kitsap.

Free assistance with tax preparation and filing forms electronically is available until April 15 at these North Kitsap locations:

In Little Boston:

House of Knowledge Elders Center, 31912 Little Boston Road, Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.

Information: (360) 297-9667

or (360) 638-1525

In Poulsbo

Martha and Mary, 19160 Front Street, Thursdays, 1-5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Information: (360) 779-7500

or (360) 638-1525

For other AARP Tax-Aide locations, go to www.aarp.org/money/taxaide. For information on the economic stimulus payments, go to www.irs.gov.