WESTPORT — It’s that taxing time of year again, but free assistance preparing those 1040s and other tax forms is available locally from the annual  AARP/VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program.

The service, with “with special attention to seniors and low- to moderate-income households,” will be offered at Town Hall, the Westport Center for Senior Activities and virtually through a secure online site, according to the announcement from the town’s Department of Human Services.

Starting Monday, Jan. 24 and ending April 15, the program will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays at Town Hall, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Center for Senior Activities.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling 860-590-8910.

The online option can be accessed by clicking here.

The free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service is available to all individual tax filers regardless of income or age, according to the DHS.

Last year, the DHS reported, more than 5,000 tax returns were prepared and filed by the counselor group that services Westport.

Taxpayers planning to register for the tax preparation program are advised to have the following documentation available:

• Government-issued photo identification.

• Social Security or ITIN numbers for taxpayer and dependents.

• Bank account/routing numbers (blank check preferable), if expecting a refund.

• All 2021 income report forms received.

• If itemizing deductions, receipts for expenses such as taxes paid (real estate, vehicle) and charitable contributions, as well as verification of the original purchase price of sold assets (home, stocks).

• Form 1095-A if health insurance was from the Access Health Connecticut Marketplace.

• Verification, if applicable, including notices from the IRS, of stimulus payments and/or advanced Child Tax Credits received.

• For reference, a copy of the 2020 tax return.