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)
2021 TAX RETURNS coming next year
The 2020 TCE program here at Lifelong has ended. While we don’t know what the format is for next year, we will still be here ready to do your taxes. See you then!
The following is information for the 2020 tax year, but it probably won’t change much for the 2021 year, and is provided to give you an idea of what to expect.
For the 2020 tax year, the following people qualified 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.
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:
- Lifelong Intake Form
- Information on tax documents to bring
- IRS Intake/Interview Form
- NYS Income Tax Worksheet
- 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.
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.
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