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)
Welcome to Lifelong’s TCE Tax program for the 2021 tax year!
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
Intake appointments available in Ithaca and Trumansburg
The following people are 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 have three options for preparation this year –
-
Hybrid
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Contact-free virtual
-
Self-preparation with help from Lifelong.
1. Hybrid preparation
Taxpayers will participate in a brief face-to-face intake interview 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. All Lifelong staff and volunteers providing in-person assistance during the intake interview are fully vaccinated.
To schedule an intake appointment to begin your return, call 607-216-7622, Monday thru Friday between 10 and 4
Taxpayers must show proof of Covid full vaccination status before meeting in person with a tax volunteer. Acceptable proofs of vaccination are a copy, photo, or original of your vaccination card OR NYS Excelsior Pass or Excelsior Pass Plus. Masks must be worn regardless of vaccination status.
If you are unable to be vaccinated because of medical or other disability-related reasons, email TCE@tclifelong.org or call 607-273-1511 x258 to discuss reasonable accommodation.
If you are unvaccinated for any other reason, see preparation options at the bottom of this page.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT, packets with information about our process, what to bring, and forms to fill out before your appointment must be completed. Packets can be picked up at the following locations:
- on the porch at Lifelong (24/7)
- Ulysses Philomathic Library
- Groton Public Library
- Southworth Library in Dryden
If you want to save a trip, you can complete and print the materials here:
- Lifelong Intake Form
- What to bring
- IRS Intake/Interview Form
- NYS Income Tax Worksheet
- Taxpayer Consent Form
New York has a new Real Property Tax Relief Credit. If you own your home, bring copies of all your 2021 property tax bills to your intake appointment so we can determine your eligibility
2. Contact-free virtual preparation
Are you interested in a contact-free option and have access to a computer or mobile device and the Internet? If you are able to upload copies (scan or photo) of your documents and interact with a volunteer preparer on a computer or mobile device, we can prepare your return (and you can sign it) in a secure virtual option. Email TCE@tclifelong.org or call 607-273-1511 x258 for more information.
3. Self-preparation with Lifelong assistance
Are you interested in free software options (and a little help) to complete your own federal and state return? If you expect your AGI to be $73,000 or less, Lifelong can provide free access to Tax Slayer FSA online software (with no limitations on forms or schedules). 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 or call 607-273-1511 x258 with questions or to request access to the software.
If you have any concerns about reading, writing, communicating with us, or completing your forms, please let us know so we can help you successfully complete this year’s process and to make sure you understand your tax return. Call 607-273-1511 x258 or email TCE@tclifelong.org.
If you are unvaccinated for other than medical or disability-related reasons, the following free options are available to you:
- We have a contact-free option if you are able to upload copies (scan or photo) of your documents and interact with a volunteer preparer on a computer or mobile device. Email TCE@tclifelong.org or call 607-273-1511 x258 for more information.
- If you expect your Adjusted Gross Income to be $73,000 or less and you are comfortable preparing your return on the computer with some assistance from us, we can provide you with a link to free software (Tax Slayer FSA) with no form or schedule limitations. Assistance (within the scope of our program) will be available by email and phone. Email TCE@tclifelong.org or call 607-273-1511 x258 for more information.
- The VITA program at Alternatives Federal Credit Union provides in-person appointments with proof of vaccination or a negative test within 3 days. They also provide a contact-free option. Contact them by calling 211.
- The United Way sponsors 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 provides 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
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 273-151 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