Free tax assistance available locally

Free assistance in completing state and federal tax returns is available to area residents with low or middle incomes, with special attention given to those over age 55, through a partnership between AARP, the Internal Revenue Service and the state Department of Revenue.

Those seeking assistance should bring 2005 income statements, including all W-2, 1099 forms, etc., as well as copies of their 2004 state and federal returns. Please bring all tax forms received by mail.

Here are some times when help is available this week:

Monday: From 9 a.m. to noon at Wells Fargo, 118 S. State St., Appleton, and Associated Bank, 640 S. Green Bay Road, Neenah;from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hallmark Place, 425 Kennedy Ave., Kimberly; and from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Goodwill Center, 1800 Appleton Road, Menasha.

Tuesday: From 9 a.m. to noon at Chase Bank Valley Fair, 2127 Memorial Drive, Appleton; from noon to 5 p.m. at the Thompson Center, 820 W. College Ave., Appleton; and from 1 to 4 p.m. at Citizens Bank, 204 E. Fourth St., Kaukauna.

Wednesday: From 8:30 a.m. to noon at Menasha Center, 116 Main St., Menasha; from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oneida Heights, 525 N. Oneida St., Appleton; and from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Goodwill.

Thursday: From 9 a.m. to noon at M&I Bank North, 402 E. Wisconsin Ave., Appleton; and from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at Goodwill.

Friday: From 9 a.m. to noon at the Bank of Little Chute, 206 E. Main St., Little Chute.

Saturday: From 8 a.m. to noon at Goodwill.

Questions can be answered by contacting Gene Sprague at 920-733-6237 or Red Rievert at 920-997-0686.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.