It’s that time of the year to find whether you paid Uncle Sam too much or not enough. And there are many ways to find out: the many excellent tax preparers in the Gorge, online tax software programs such as TurboTax and H&R Block, or if your Adjusted Gross Income is under $79,000, you can access free software at https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/ or https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.

But if you find professional tax preparers too expensive or you don’t feel comfortable using an online tax software program, there is free help available through the Gorge Tax-Aide Foundation Program and their team of dedicated volunteer tax preparers who are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they understand the latest changes to the tax code.

You will have to make an appointment for one of the five sites in the Gorge.

For two sites you just call to make your appointment. At the Pioneer Center site, located in White Salmon, call 509-493-3068 for an appointment on Tuesdays from 9-12 pm. At the Tygh Valley Community Center site, call 541-395-2598 for a drop-off appointment on Thursdays from 9:00 – 12:00 starting on February 8th.

At the three sites in Hood River and The Dalles, you are asked to go to the Columbia Gorge AARP Foundation Tax-Aide website https://gorgetaxaide.simplybook.me to make an appointment.

Those sites and times are:

Hood River Valley Adult Center, 2010 Sterling Place, Thursdays from 2:00 – 5:00; Mid-Columbia Senior Center, 1112 W. 9th St, The Dalles, Fridays from 3:00 – 6:00 and Saturdays from 9:00 – 12:00; and Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River Campus, Room 302, Mondays from 1:30 – 5:00

There is one requirement for making an appointment online: you will need to provide an email address. If don’t have one or you for some reason are unable to make an appointment online, you can visit a Tax-Aide site when the tax preparers are there, and they will assist you in making an appointment. Or you can call your local senior center to see if there is a way they can help.

You will also find on the AARP Tax-Aide website the types of returns they can and can’t do; as well as a complete list of essential documents to bring including your past tax returns from 2021/2022. And don’t forget to bring government-issued identification for both you and your spouse EVEN if both of you are not present; and a Social Security identification card (original, photocopy, or a photo on your smartphone) for all individuals listed on the tax return. And if you would like to use direct deposit, bring your bank account information.

Although we may have strong differing opinions about how much we should pay in taxes and for what, we can all agree taxes are essential in providing the important services that support older adults.

Brain Tease: Changing one letter in each of these words: Storm, Payable, Cable, Moth will make new words that are all related to each other. What are the new words?

The comedian who was a regular on the Smothers Brothers Show and ran for President in 1968 with the campaign slogan, “Just a common, ordinary, simple savior of America’s destiny” was Pat Paulson. I received correct answers from Stephen Woolpert, Bruce Johnson, Judy Kiser, Rhonda Spies, Dave Lutgens, Lana Tepfer, Jess Birge, Eva Summers, Donna Mollet, Nancy Higgins, Doug Nelson, and Bob Haechrel this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Although I’ve enjoyed listening to country western music, I must admit I never was a big fan. But I do remember when driving cross-country stopping at a small restaurant somewhere in middle America and playing on the jukebox “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” recorded by BJ Thomas. For this week’s “Remember When” question, who was the legendary musician who wrote and originally recorded the song in 1949 as well as other classics including “Hey, Good Lookin’” (1951) and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (1952)? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland where he worked briefly during WWII.

Well, it’s been another week, looking for the the puzzle now that I’ve found the missing piece. Until we meet again, don’t hide yourself under a bushel.

“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” Thomas Sowell

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Townhall (541-308-5997) – Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).

Answers: Story, Parable, Fable, Myth.