Free tax help at Ballard Library starting in February

There will be free tax help starting in February at the Ballard Library.

The United Way of King County and AARP are offering free tax help at 11 different Seattle Public Library locations, including Ballard. The in-person tax preparation service starts in January at some locations and will begin on Feb. 6.

Trained volunteers from United Way and the AARP will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns. No appointment is necessary, and volunteers will help people on a first-come, first-served basis.

United Way of King County volunteers will be at the following libraries:

• Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 5: (Jan. 16 through April 21)
  • Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Tuesdays through Thursdays 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• South Park Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S.: (Jan. 13 through April 20)
  • Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Spanish support provided upon request

AARP will offer both drop-in assistance, available on a first-come, first-served basis, and appointment-based assistance. Please note that you can make an appointment with AARP starting in mid-January, when they launch their appointment calendar at their Tax Aide site. AARP will also provide facilitated self-assistance at three locations, where trained tax preparers set up laptops and help taxpayers do their own taxes.

AARP volunteers will offer assistance at the following libraries:

• Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W. (Feb. 6 – April 9)
  • Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (drop-in)

• Broadview Branch,12755 Greenwood Ave. N. (Feb. 5 – April 15)
  • Mondays from noon to 4 p.m. (drop-in)
  • Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (drop-in)

• Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S. (Feb. 2 – April 12)
  • Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (appointment preferred)

• Douglass–Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way, Seattle (Feb. 3 – April 13)
  • Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (appointment preferred)
  • Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (appointment preferred, facilitated self-assistance also offered)

• Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N.
  • Thursdays from noon to 3:30 p.m. (drop-in, Feb. 29 – April 11)
  • Thursdays from 12:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. (appointment preferred, facilitated self-assistance offered, Feb. 1 – Feb. 22)

• NewHolly Branch, 7058 32nd Ave. S., Seattle (Feb. 4 – April 14)
  • Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (appointment preferred, facilitated self-assistance also offered)

• Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. N.E. The Northeast Branch will offer Tax Help pending reopening. Check www.spl.org/Today.

• Queen Anne Branch, 400 W. Garfield St. (Feb. 3 – April 13)
  • Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (drop-in)

• Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. S.W. (Feb. 3 – April 13)
  • Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (appointment preferred)
  • Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (appointment preferred)

There is a list of eligibility requirements online to help you prepare for the tax sessions.