The Genesee County Office for the Aging is available to offer free income tax preparation for low to moderate income taxpayers and property tax credit (IT-214) assistance. Volunteers trained by the IRS and NY State Department of Taxation are available by appointment only for income tax preparation. Some volunteers have been trained to process computerized income tax forms. Laptop computers were purchased for the income tax program through the Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging in Genesee County. For those needing only IT-214 Form assistance, the Office for the Aging staff will be available by appointment after March 26.

For taxpayers under age 60, there is one location for assistance. Contact Orleans Community Action at 343-7798 for an appointment. For taxpayers age 60 and over, there are two locations for assistance: Batavia-Genesee Senior Center, call 343-1611 for an appointment; and LeRoy Municipal Building, call 343-1611 for an appointment.

Many older Genesee County homeowners and renters can apply for a refund from New York State. Form IT-214 allows property taxpayers and renters with annual household income of less than $19,500 the opportunity to file. The IT-214 can be filed alone, but should be completed with other income tax forms for those who file returns. The refund is not guaranteed to every applicant. Every household's circumstances are different. For more information or to set up an appointment for assistance in completing the IT-214, call the Office for the Aging at 343-1611. Appointments will be available after March 26.

Localities have the option of granting property tax reductions based on their sliding-scale program for each municipality. Call the local assessor's office to ask about the Specific Income Guidelines for eligibility. For help doing this or in completing the form, call the Aging Services Office at 343-1611 for assistance. Deadline to file is March 1, for all Genesee County residents, except for City of Batavia residents whose deadline date for filing is June 1.

The STAR Program was created to provide needed property school tax relief. Anyone currently enrolled in the aged property tax reduction, will automatically be enrolled in STAR. All others need to apply or reapply for STAR. For assistance, call the Office for the Aging at 343-1611. Deadline to file is March 1 for all Genesee County residents, except for City of Batavia residents whose deadline date for filing is June 1.