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Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025     Views: 8745

This FAQ is updated regularly. Sarasota County Libraries provides tax assistance through our hardworking volunteers with AARP, United Way/VITA other assistance organizations.
Last Updated: 12/20/2024

Tax Assistance Programs

Sarasota County Public Libraries serve as the host venue for tax assistance provided by outside community organizations. Library staff do not make tax assistance appointments. Tax assistance hours and availability vary by location.

Several libraries are expecting to receive copies of the 1040 form and instruction booklet. Please click here to see the current availability of tax forms at each library. All tax forms, instruction booklets and the tax tablesare also available for free here on the IRS's website. Each library offers free black-and-white printing, up to 30 pages per person per day.

Note that holidays or inclement weather may affect days/times reflected below.  Please call the library at 941-961-1110 if you have any questions.

 

Tax assistance dates, times and processes may change often and without warning. Please contact AARP or VITA directly to find out what services are provided in your local neighborhoods or at any of the Sarasota County Public Libraries.

AARP - Visit online at sarasotaaarptaxaide.com/home or call 941-861-1110 or 888-227-7669.

VITA- Visit online at uwsvita.org or call 1-833-UWS-VITA, 1-833-897-8482.

Scope of Services

Most returns are able to be prepared by AARP and VITA volunteers. However, some situations are out of the scope of services. The most common include:

  • Any transactions involving digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrency)
  • Installation of solar panels for an energy credit
  • You receive rent from an apartment or house
  • You have self-employment income with expenses over $35,000, had a net loss, had employees, inventory, real estate, depreciation, or have a home office
  • Any cancellation of debt other than credit card debt or foreclosure of primary residence
  • Casualty loss to due hurricane
  • Adoption expenses

Hours and Locations

Browse below for hours and locations for each location.

  • Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
  • Elsie Quirk Library
  • Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
  • Woodmere Park Recreation Center (near Jacaranda Library)
  • Fruitville Library
  • Gulf Gate Library
  • North Port Library (tax aide services not available)
  • Osprey Library (tax aide services not available)
  • Selby Library
  • Shannon Staub Library
  • Venice Community Center (near William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library)

Please note that the schedule/details are in progress for Tax Year 2024. Information will be updated for each location as it is finalized.

Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

Contact United Way's VITA team to make an appointment, then visit for the appointment (Please, no drop ins).

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Visit VITA's page on United Way Suncoast website or call 1-833-897-8482.

Appointment schedule

Saturdays, Feb. 1 - April 12 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Elsie Quirk LibraryAARP offers free tax return services in North Kitsap | Kitsap ...

Register at the library in the tax aide appointment book, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls).

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Visit the library's front desk to schedule an appointment in the AARP appointment book.

Appointment book will be available after Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Appointment schedule

Monday, March 10 - Monday, April 14

Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Questions

If you have any questions about the Elsie Quirk Library location for tax assistance, please call 941-281-5231 to contact the local AARP Tax Aide Representative.

Information is to be updated weekly, and you may leave a message if needed.

Fruitville Library

Register at the library with tax aides, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls)

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

AARP Tax Assistant Volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments.

Preregistration:

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Regular Hours beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5 

Walk-ins: Subject to availability.

Appointment schedule

Wednesdays Feb. 5 - Thursday, April 10

Wednesdays and Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

More information

For more information, click here for a direct link to the AARP listing or call 240-774-0543 for preparing for your tax preparation appointment at Fruitville Library.

Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library and Woodmere Park

Register with tax aides, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls). Library and park staff cannot schedule appointments.

Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Starting Tuesday, Jan. 21, tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments.

Preregistration: Tuesdays and Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Regular hours beginning Tuesday, Feb. 4 (see below)

Appointment schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 4. - Tuesday, April 15

Tuesdays and Thursdays

10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Last appointments at 3:30 p.m.

Except: Feb. 11 (not available) and Feb. 18 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 

Woodmere Park Recreation Center

3951 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293 | Map

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Starting Friday, Jan. 17, tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments on 

Mondays and Wednesdays | 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Fridays | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Regular hours beginning Monday, Feb. 5 (see below)

Appointment schedule

Monday, Feb. 5 - Monday, April 14

Mondays and Wednesdays | 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Last appointment of the day starts at 3:15 p.m.

Fridays | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Last appointment of the day starts at 12:15 p.m.

Fruitville Library

Come to make an appointment, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls).

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

AARP Tax Assistant Volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments on

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Regular Hours beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5 

Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Walk-ins: Subject to availability.

Appointment schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 5 - Thursday, April 10

Wednesdays and Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

More Information

For more information, click here for a direct link to the AARP listing or call 240-774-0543 for preparing for your tax preparation appointment at Fruitville Library.

Gulf Gate Library

Register at the library with tax aides, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls).

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments on 

Tuesday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 22 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23 | 1-3:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 24 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan 25 | 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Regular hours beginning Saturday, Feb. 1

Appointment schedule

Saturday, Feb. 1 - Monday, April 14

Mondays, 12:30-5 p.m.

Thursdays, 12:30-5 p.m.

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Except: Feb. 8, March 8, April 12 | 1-4 p.m.

More information

Click here to visit Sarasota AARP Tax Aide to prepare for your tax preparation appointment at Gulf Gate Library.

 

North Port Library

Tax assistance is not offered at this library location. 

 

Osprey Library

Tax assistance is not offered at this library location. 

 

Selby Library

First come, first served (Please, no phone calls). AARP Tax Assistant Volunteers will take the first 30 people each day.

Click here for a direct link to the AARP listing for this location.

Tax help is located on the second floor of the Selby Public Library.

Regular hours

Monday, Feb. 3 - Tuesday, April 15

Mondays through Thursdays | 2-5 p.m.

Saturdays | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 

More information

This is the process for AARP's tax aide program at Selby:

  • Bring all necessary tax documents with you. If you do not have all of your documents, you will have to return another day and get in line again. Please click here to view AARP's list of required documents.
  • All taxpayers listed on the tax return must be present, not including their dependents. AARP cannot accept the presence of less than all taxpayers, unless a legal power of attorney is presented.
  • AARP Tax Aide is located on the second floor of the library. Please follow the flags.
  • Enter the glass-enclosed room and present yourself to the Client Facilitator (greeter) at the front desk.
  • You will be asked to identify yourself with your driver's license or another valid picture ID and a document showing the Social Security numbers of all persons on your tax return, including your dependents.
  • The Client Facilitator will provide you with IRS form 13614-C, Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet and an appointment number indicating your place in the queue. You will be asked to fill out the form while at the waiting area outside the glass-enclosed rooms, until called for an interview. Please prepare all tax documents before the interview to speed up the process.
  • If you are able to fill out and print form 13614-C before arriving at the library, you will help make the process more efficient. Thank you!
  • Please read IRS form 15080 - Return Information to VITA/TCE Tax Preparation Sites attached to form 13614-C. You signed consent will speed up the preparation of your tax return in future years by pre-filling your personal information and the forms used in the current year's return in future years tax returns.
  • You will be called for an interview with an AARP volunteer to go over your completed form 13614-C. The purpose of this interview is to make sure you have all the documents necessary to complete your tax return before meeting with a volunteer tax preparation Counselor.
  • The assigned Counselor will prepare your tax return in your presence. Upon completion of the return, a Quality Reviewer will be assigned to your tax return.
  • The Quality Reviewer will go over the completed tax return in your presence.
  • You will be asked to sign IRS form 8879 - IRS e-file Signature Authorization authorizing Tax-Aide to e-file your return on your behalf. The Quality Reviewer will then hand you an envelope containing a copy of your tax return and all your supporting documents. We will not keep any documents belonging to you.
  • The Quality Reviewer will electronically file (e-file) your tax return with the IRS.

Shannon Staub Library  

Register at the library with tax aides, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls).

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments 

  • Make a Tax Assistance Appointment
    • Tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments early on 
      • Friday, Jan. 24 | 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
    • Regular hours beginning Friday, Feb. 7 (see below).

Appointment schedule

Beginning Friday, February 7th

 Fridays | 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Except: Feb. 14 (not available)

Ending Friday, April 11.

More information

It is important that all taxpayers listed on the tax return with the exception of their dependents, are present and prepared for their tax appointment. 

Please review the list of forms and documents to bring with you for your appointment. You may speed up your appointment if you fill out and print the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet (IRS Form 13614-C) before your appointment.

Please consult the list of frequently asked questions available on the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program website.

Venice Community Center for Venice Library Patrons

The Venice Community Center
326 Nokomis Avenue S., Venice, FL 34285 | Map

Come to make an appointment, then come back for the appointment (Please, no drop ins/no phone calls). Venice Community Center staff cannot schedule appointments.

Make a Tax Assistance Appointment

Tax volunteers will be available to set up tax assistance appointments on 

Tuesday, Jan. 21 | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan 23 | 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 27 | 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 28 | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30 | 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Regular hours beginning Monday, Feb. 3 (see below).

Appointment schedule

Monday, Feb. 3. - Monday, April 14

Mondays | 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Last appointment of the day starts at 3:30 p.m.

Exception: Monday, Feb. 17 (Library closed.)

Tuesdays | 9 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Last appointment of the day is 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays |  9 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. | Last appointment of the day is 5:30 p.m.

It is important that all taxpayers listed on the tax return with the exception of their dependents, are present and prepared for their tax appointment.

Please review the list of forms and documents to bring with you for your appointment. You may speed up your appointment if you fill out and print the Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet (IRS Form 13614-C) before your appointment.

Please consult the list of frequently asked questions available on the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program website.

Additional Tax Aide Locations and Information

AARP Tax Aide: 

 

United Way's VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

Additional Tax Related Resources

  • Need to file for a tax extension? For more information on filing an extension on your taxes, please visit this page of the IRS's website.

  • Retired and unsure whether you still need to file taxes? RetireGuide offers a variety of free, online guides for those planning for retirement and for those currently enjoying their retirement. To view their free guide on filing taxes in retirement, please click here.

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