"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Free Tax Preparation, Economic Stimulus Help

CLAREMORE, OK - The Cherokee Nation will offer free tax preparation for persons on social security or veteran’s disability at several locations in Claremore during the month of April.

The service is offered in conjunction with a partnership between the Cherokee Nation and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax preparers are volunteers trained and certified using materials furnished by the IRS. Qualified participants will also be registered for the Stimulus Payment that the IRS will begin sending out in May.

Under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, more than 130 million American households will receive economic stimulus payments beginning in May. The only way to get one is to file a federal tax return for 2007. This filing requirement also applies to some people who do not normally file, including many low-income people and recipients of Social Security, certain benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs and certain railroad retirement benefits.

Assistance will be available on Thursday, April 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Will Rogers Downs; Thursday, April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Claremore Regional Library and on Thursday, April 3 and Thursday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Claremore Area Office. These will be the final days for assistance at these locations.

For information regarding the Will Rogers Downs and Claremore Regional Library locations contact Michelle Sixkiller at (479) 621-7842. For the Cherokee Nation Claremore Area Office service contact Deborah Vanderpool phone: 918-341-3050.