(Camden, NJ) – The Camden County Library System is offering free tax return assistance for low and moderate income residents, especially those 60 and older, living in Camden County.
“Preparing an income tax return can be challenging for anyone that has specific financial questions,” said Freeholder Bill Moen, liaison to the Camden County Library System. “Providing access to free tax preparers will give individuals the guidance and assurance they need to file their returns with confidence this year.”
Free tax help is being made available from AARP at the following branches of the Camden County Library System:
- Vogelson branch in Voorhees – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 17
- Bellmawr branch – Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 17
- Riletta L. Cream Ferry Avenue branch in Camden – Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through April 16
- Gloucester Township branch – Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 13
- Haddon Township branch – Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. through April 17
- South County branch in Winslow Township – Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 16
Students in the Rutgers School of Law-Camden are offering free tax return assistance to low income residents at two branches of the Camden County Library System. The Rutgers-Camden Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is available at the Vogelson branch, located at 203 Laurel Road in Voorhees, and the Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez branch located at 300 North 4th Street in Camden City. The VITA program is available:
Vogelson branch in Voorhees
Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April 12
Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez branch in Camden
Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through April 4
Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. through April 6
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 7
Please note that there will be no tax help on March 10, 14, 16, 17, 30 or 31 at this branch.
Those seeking assistance should bring:
- Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer ID Number (ITIN) for you, your children, and/or your spouse
- All W2 forms, all 1099 forms, such as 1099G (unemployment) and 1099R (pension payments)
- All 1098T forms (tuition payments) and receipts for materials and books, and 1098-E for total student loan interest paid
- Total child care expenses and name, address, Employer Identification Number (EIN) or SSN of child care provider(s)
- Total rent paid
- Any mail from the IRS
- Your bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
- If possible, a copy of your previous Federal and/or New Jersey Tax
For more information, please visit www.camdencountylibrary.org. No appointments are necessary. Space is limited. Tax assistance will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
“Tax preparation is a popular service and a great asset for seniors throughout the region. This is another example of how our county libraries are meeting the needs of the residents they serve in Camden County. Whether it is tax help, literacy classes or our online high school we strive to provide tangible resources to the community outside of the traditional uses that come to mind with a library,” Moen said. “If you are an honorably discharged veteran, make sure you submit your New Jersey Veteran Exemption form with your taxes.”
New for this year, New Jersey veterans are eligible for a $3,000 exemption on their income tax return if they were honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States by the last day of the tax year. For more information, and for a copy of the Veteran Exemption Submission Form, visit the New Jersey Division of Taxation website athttp://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/military/vetexemption.shtml.
“As a board, we want to ensure that all our veterans are aware of this new benefit from the state for their service and sacrifice in our Armed Forces,” Moen said. “This is earned advantage gained by the hard work and dedication these men and women put into their careers in the military. Please notify your preparer or if you do it yourself make sure to claim your new exemption.”
To receive the exemption, veterans must provide a copy of Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the first time they claim the exemption. The Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs can assist with obtaining a copy of your DD-214.
Veterans can certify for the exemption by sending a copy of their DD-214 and Veteran Exemption Submission by:
- Using the state’s secure document upload feature to submit their DD-214 and Veteran Exemption Submission Form. Enter the notice code VET and select PO Box 440; or
- Mailing a copy of their DD-214 and Veteran Exemption Submission Form to: The New Jersey Division of Taxation, Veteran Exemption, PO Box 440, Trenton, NJ 08646-0440; or
- Faxing their DD-214 and Veteran Exemption Submission Form to 609-633-8427.