By Olivia deBree

NEARLY TWO DOZEN organizations in San Francisco help seniors, low-income people, and the disabled get their taxes in on time and cash in on recent changes in tax rules. Be sure to call ahead to make an appointment, as many of these organizations say their slots are filling up quickly. Services vary, but generally you can find non-English-speaking assistance, help with simple and complex tax forms, and electronic filing resources. Definitions of "senior" vary; call to find out if you are eligible. When in doubt, call to verify what an organization offers.

Bayview-Hunters Point Senior Center invites seniors to call and make appointments with them. Through April 15, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1706 Yosemite, S.F. (415) 822-1444.

Centro Legal de la Raza offers assistance in Spanish to low-income taxpayers and welcomes donations. Call for an appointment. March 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 474 Valencia, Suite 100, S.F. (415) 575-3500.

Chinese Newcomers Service Center assists low-income people only (defined as families earning $28,000 a year or less and individuals earning $18,000 a year or less) with tax forms in English and Chinese. Please call for an appointment. Through April 15, Sat. (no set times), 777 Stockton, Room 104, S.F. (415) 421-2111.

San Francisco Public Library, Excelsior Branch encourages seniors, disabled people, and low-income people to come in for tax help and recommends coming in ahead of time to sign up for an appointment. E-filing is available and walk-ins are welcomed. March 21, 28, April 4, 11, noon-4 p.m., 4400 Mission, S.F. (415) 337-4735.

Filipino American Council Senior Center assists seniors with their taxes and provides help to Filipino speakers. Call for an appointment. No set dates or times. 3416 19th St., S.F. (415) 626-0773.

Goodwill Career Advancement Center offers appointments to low-income people and provides assistance in Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean. Call ahead. Electronic filing is free to those who earn $25,000 or less. Paper filing is free for all. Through March 31, Thurs., 5-9 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 1500 Mission, S.F. (415) 217-3660.

Hastings College of Law students help low-income and non-English-speaking people with their taxes. They accept walk-ins only. March 20, 26-27, April 2-3, 9-10, 6-9 p.m., Dobbs Atrium, Second floor, 200 McAllister, S.F. (415) 565-4600.

Internal Revenue Service Tax Assistance Center offers walk-in appointments to low-income (under $33,000) people only and provides assistance in Spanish. Through April 15 (call for hours after that date), Mon., Tues., and Thurs., 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wed., 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; April 15, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., 450 Golden Gate, First floor lobby, S.F. 1-800-829-1040.

Richmond Senior Center offers tax advice by appointment to seniors and homebound people. Act fast, as the schedule is filling up quickly. The center is handicapped accessible. March 21-April 11, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 6221 Geary, S.F. (415) 752-6444.

San Francisco State University's Office of International Programs offers free tax consultations to SFSU students and $10 consultations to all other students. Call for an appointment or drop in. March 28, noon-2 p.m., San Francisco State University, Student Union Building, Rosa Parks Conference Area, Lower level, 1600 Holloway, S.F. (415) 338-1293.

Tax-Aid is a nonprofit organization that offers free tax help to people whose gross family income is $32,000 or less. Call (415) 281-1600 for more information, available in Spanish, Chinese, English, and Russian. Eligible people can walk in for appointments at three locations. March 23 and April 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Central American Resource Center, St. Peter's Parish School, 1249 Alabama, S.F. (415) 824-2330. March 30, April 6, 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., On Lok Senior Center, 1441 Powell, S.F. (415) 292-8888. March 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Southeast Community Center, 1800 Oakdale, S.F. (415) 550-4353.

Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center assists seniors and low- and middle-income people with their taxes. Call for an appointment. March 25 and April 8, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 660 Lombard, S.F. (415) 421-6443, ext. 10.