Partnering with the Tompkins County United Way site “Get Connected”, Lifelong is launching a new volunteer program.  Free of the restrictions, reporting, and shrinking funding associated with our previous program (RSVP), our new program will help link seniors with volunteer opportunities throughout the county.
As former RSVP volunteers, you will be on our Volunteers Connected list and will receive our “News & Notes” email newsletter and the Lifelong email blast. If you don’t want to be included, please let us know.

For more information contact :  Joyce Billing at jbilling@tclifelong.org

FREE TAX PREP (TCE)

2020 TAX RETURNS

IRS Federal and NYS tax returns will be prepared virtually this year between the end of January till mid April by Lifelong TCE volunteers trained and certified by the IRS

The following people qualify to have their taxes prepared as part of the TCE program for free:

 ~All Seniors age 60+ (with spouses of any age)

AND ALSO 

~Individuals with disabilities

~Individuals with incomes below $35,000

~Families incomes below $57,000

Returns prepared by IRS trained and certified volunteers Some complex returns may not qualify.

Taxpayers will participate in a very brief face-to-face intake appointment to deliver their tax documents and required forms. Returns will be separately completed by volunteer preparers. After completion, taxpayers will return to sign and file their returns.

To schedule an intake appointment to to begin your return,

call 607-279-6617, Monday thru Friday between 10 and 4:00

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT, packets with information about our process this year, what to bring, and forms to fill out must be picked up and completed. Packets can be picked up

• on the porch at Lifelong, or
• in the lobby of the Ulysses Philomathic Library (during lobby hours).

If you want to save a trip, you can print and complete the materials by clicking on the links below:

1. Lifelong Intake Form
2. Information on tax documents to bring
3. IRS Intake/Interview Form
4. NYS Income Tax Worksheet
5. Taxpayer Consent Form

Are you interested in free software options (and a little help) to complete your own federal and state return? If your return is fairly simple, consider using My Free Taxes online. Phone and chat assistance will be available to answer questions. After January 15, email TCE@tclifelong.org for more information. If your return is more complicated, Lifelong can provide free access to Tax Slayer FSA online software. There is no income limit and Lifelong tax counselors will provide phone assistance by appointment and answer questions by email. Note that we are unable to provide help with questions beyond the scope of our regular services. After January 15, email TCE@tclifelong.org with questions or to request access to the software. If you have any concerns about reading, writing, or communicating with us or completing your forms, please let us know so we can do what is needed to help you successfully complete this year’s process and to make sure you understand your tax return. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program is sponsored by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service, support from the United Way, and financial underwriting by Lifelong  

Medicare Counseling

Are you struggling with questions like these? . . .  How do I go about enrolling in Medicare? When do I have to enroll in a Prescription Drug Program? What will a Medigap Policy do for me? Am I eligible for EPIC, the NY state prescription drug program? Is extra help available to pay for prescription drug costs?

How does Medicaid work with Medicare?

We can help you through the mazes of health insurance, prescription drug programs and Medicare (including Part D) with HIICAP counseling and workshops.

HIICAP is the Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program and, while we currently aren’t providing in-person counseling, our certified HIICAP Counselors are offering counseling either by phone or Zoom.  Please call Lifelong at 273-1511, ext. 224 and leave a message for Liza Burger.

 

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Lifelong’s HIICAP Program is funded by the Tompkins County Office of the Aging