Thursday's news briefs

AARP program offers tax return help

The AARP Tax-Aide program will help prepare tax returns for those with low and moderate incomes, with special attention to those age 60 and older.

The free program offers electronic filing at:

• The Hilton Head Island Branch of the Beaufort County Public Library, 11 Beach City Road,10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays.

• The SHARE Senior Center, 6 Office Way, Suite 915, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays.

• The Bluffton Branch of the Beaufort County Public Library, 120 Palmetto Way, 9 a.m.. to noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

Bring last year's tax return, W-2 Forms, 1099 Forms, 1098 Forms, any information concerning real estate and personal property taxes, medical expenses, insurance, charitable contributions and estimated tax payments.

Details: Don Arboe, 843-785-2311.

Hilton Head group offers filing assistance

A free income-tax service is available each week through April 15 under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program on Hilton Head Island.

Volunteers prepare and usually e-file tax returns from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at the Island Rec Center. Residents are asked to bring their 2008 tax returns.

DHEC offering free H1N1 vaccines

Free H1N1 vaccinations will be offered through March 30 at all S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control health departments in Beaufort County and surrounding counties. The shots will be given from 1 to 4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.

Vaccinations are on a walk-in basis only in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Details: 843-525-7603.

Bluffton tea party seeks volunteers

Tea Party Patriots of Bluffton will hold a tax-day committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center meeting room at 40 Okatie Center Blvd.

Members who want to volunteer for the countywide tax-day event April 15 should attend.

Organizer Mary Lou Lineberger said committees will be formed to handle distributing flyers and publicity before the event; arranging program participants and speakers; forming a parking crew; stage and program setup; judging for the best sign, patriotic costume and best decorated stroller and wagon contests; information distribution at the Patriots table; and general assistance.

The Beaufort Countywide Tax Day Tea Party will be in old town Bluffton. The live music "Salute to America" begins at 5 p.m.