Tax Counseling

FREE TAX PREP (TCE)

The tax season is over for your 2021 returns. Stay tuned for information about 2022 returns.

We are committed to providing this valuable service to our community while continuing to modify our program to keep everyone safe.

IRS Federal and NYS tax returns will again be prepared virtually this year from late January until mid-April by Lifelong TCE volunteers, trained and certified by the IRS

The information below applied to 2021 returns and may change for 2022.

The following people were qualified to have their 2021 taxes prepared for free as part of the TCE program:

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

OR

~Individuals with disabilities

OR

~Individuals with incomes below $37,000

~Families incomes below $57,000

Please note: some complex returns may not qualify.

We had three options for preparation this year –

Hybrid
Contact-free virtual
Self-preparation with help from Lifelong.

1. Hybrid preparation

Taxpayers participated in a brief face-to-face intake interview appointment to deliver their tax documents and required forms. Returns were completed separately by volunteer preparers. After completion, taxpayers returned to sign and file their returns. All Lifelong staff and volunteers providing in-person assistance during the intake interview were fully vaccinated.

Taxpayers were required to show proof of Covid full vaccination status before meeting in person with a tax volunteer. Acceptable proofs of vaccination were a copy, photo, or original of your vaccination card OR NYS Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus. Masks were required regardless of vaccination status.

Those unable to be vaccinated because of medical or other disability-related reasons, could email TCE@tclifelong.org or call 607-273-1511 x258 to discuss reasonable accommodation.

Those who were unvaccinated for any other reason, had preparation options explained at the bottom of this page.

BEFORE APPOINTMENTS, packets with information about our process, what to bring, and forms to fill out had to be completed. Packets could be picked up in person at several locations or could be printed from these links:

New York has a new Real Property Tax Relief Credit. If you own your home, you were asked to bring copies of all your 2021 property tax bills to your intake appointment to determine your eligibility

2. Contact-free virtual preparation

A contact-free option was available to those with access to a computer or mobile device and the Internet. If you were able to upload copies (scan or photo) of your documents and interact with a volunteer preparer on a computer or mobile device, we were able to prepare your return in a secure virtual option.

3. Self-preparation with Lifelong assistance

For those whose AGI was $73,000 or less, Lifelong provided free access to Tax Slayer FSA online software (with no limitations on forms or schedules). Lifelong tax counselors provided phone assistance by appointment and answered questions by email, within scope.

If you were unvaccinated for other than medical or disability-related reasons, the following free options were available to you:

a contact-free option if you were able to upload copies (scan or photo) of your documents and interact with a volunteer preparer on a computer or mobile device.
for those whose AGI was $73,000 or less, Lifelong provided free access to Tax Slayer FSA online software (with no limitations on forms or schedules). Lifelong tax counselors provided phone assistance by appointment and answered questions by email, within scope.
the VITA program at Alternatives Federal Credit Union provided in-person appointments with proof of vaccination or a negative test within 3 days. They also provided a contact-free option.
the United Way sponsored free return preparation for taxpayers whose income is $57,000 or less and free software access for taxpayers whose income is $73,000 or less at MyFreeTaxes.com.
the IRS provided a number of options including commercial software (income limitations) and fillable forms for paper filing at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

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

HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program) Medicare

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, the Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program, offers help in your search for answers to your health insurance questions. Our certified HIICAP Counselors will work with you one on one either via zoom, over the phone, or in person. To make an appointment or for more information, please call Lifelong at (607) 273-1511 and leave a message for Mary-Ann Reeter.

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