It's that time of year again: tax season.

But don't worry. Tax-Aide Santa Fe, a program of the AARP Foundation, is offering free help from trained and certified volunteer counselors until April 16.

Although special attention is given to people older than 60, there are no age or income limits. And if you are a lucky filer expecting a refund, you can have it deposited directly to your bank account at no charge -- in 10 days or fewer.

The program is offered at both the fitness center at Santa Fe Community College and Pasatiempo Senior Center on Alta Vista Street.

Peter Doniger, who has been helping out with the program for 20 years, warns those who are planning to take advantage of the service to expect "bedlam" the first few weeks at both sites, even though there will be 94 workers this tax season to take care of the demand. "We're already getting a lot of calls," he said.

It's first-come, first-served. No appointments are available. "And no one gets any preference over anyone else," Doniger added.

Last tax season, 8,500 people filed returns with the help of Tax-Aide. Doniger expects 10,000 to do so this year.

For the first time, self-employed business owners are welcome at Tax-Aide. "As long as they don't have any employees, we will do their returns for free," Doniger said.

Along with their tax returns, small-business owners will get some free advice about the state's gross-receipts tax, which some choose not to pay.

That's not a good idea, Doniger advised. "They don't collect it; they don't pay it; they get caught," he said. Not paying the tax "will come back to haunt you."

"We had one client get a bill for $12,500," he said. "It was unfortunate, but it was right. She said she didn't know. Now we're telling them."

Doniger said the New Mexico Legislature might consider changing the law to make the first $20,000 in revenue exempt from the state's gross-receipt taxes. "I would like to see it," he said. "It would make the little guys' lives a lot easier."

Another tax benefit available to filers is the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can be up to $5,666 for families with as many as three children in school.

It is "phenomenal if you have kids," Doniger said. "It can pay your Social Security tax and for baby-sitting and allow you to work. That makes more sense than sitting at home on welfare."

There's also a $300 credit for energy improvements to your home. And students can claim college tax credits up to $2,500 per student.

"Anyone in New Mexico with income less than $22,000 should get a New Mexico state refund," Doniger said.

But, he advised, Tax-Aide might not be able to help people if their tax return is too complicated.

Some taxpayers who try to fill out their own returns might not realize that it's not so easy. "I saw one last year where the withholding was messed up" and resulted in too high a refund, Doniger said. "They had to give it all back."

Tax-Aide will also assist taxpayers who start to work on a tax return online or on paper and can't figure how to complete it. "Print it out and bring it over," Doniger promised. "We can help."

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.

TAX-AIDE LOCATIONS AND HOURS

Pasatiempo Senior Center

664 Alta Vista St.

670-6835

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday

Santa Fe Community College, Witter Fitness Center

6401 S. Richards Ave.

670-6835

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; closed March 17-25 while the college is on spring break

WHAT TO BRING

Those who plan to use Tax-Aide should bring:

Photo identification

Social Security card

W-2 wage form

Year-end Social Security statement

1099 forms showing interest, dividends, stocks and CD sales

Unemployment W2-G form

Win/loss reports from casinos

1099-R pension payment form

Other necessary information:

Child care expenses

College or vocational training costs

Medical expenses

Charitable donations

Mortgage interest statement

Property tax statement

A blank check if you want a refund deposited directly to your bank account

For more information on tax preparation help, go to www.irs.gov.