By Mason Crane-Bolton
As April rolls around we prepare for one of the few certainties in life: Taxes.
If you’ve already filed your annual income taxes, congratulations! If filing your taxes is still on your “to-do” list, we have some suggested resources to assist you in preparing and filing your taxes. (Please note that we’re not certified or trained tax professionals; if you have questions about your taxes or finances it’s always best to consult an expert.)
Whether or not you’re an older adult, New Jersey has many resources available to you for tax preparation assistance. To see if your town offers local tax preparation services, call your town’s municipal center, public library (if one is available in your town), or your county Office on Aging (if you don’t know the phone number for your county’s office, you can call the toll-free number 1-877-222-3737 and you will be directed to your local office). For those who prefer to file their taxes on paper (as opposed to digitally), tax forms are also often available at municipal buildings and libraries. If you prefer, you can also download and print tax forms at home through the first link below.
…Did you know that there are FREE tax preparation services available to you? If you’re a taxpayer and over age 60, you’re eligible for (the unfortunately named) Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). If you’re not age 60 or older, but are low- to moderate-income, have a disability, or are non-English speaking, you can get tax preparation assistance though Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). You can follow the link below to learn a little more about these services and how to find one near you.
Free Tax Preparation Services for Taxpayers https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/vita_tce/freeservices.shtml
Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers
…As you might know, there have been several changes in the past few years which have affected your annual income taxes. Depending on your individual situation, you may have been greatly affected or not at all; although there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer, the link below will provide you with some information regarding changes to your NJ state income tax filings.
NJ Income Tax – Important Changes for 2018
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/new2018.shtml
…If you have some general questions about your taxes or filing, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has an FAQ section specifically for older adults and retirees. In addition, the IRS also has a guide of tips for older adults and retirees in preparing and filing their federal taxes. These may not answer more complex or idiosyncratic questions but can be a good place to start for general questions and help.
IRS “Seniors & Retirees”
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/seniors-retirees
Frequently Asked Questions for Seniors
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/seniors-retirees/frequently-asked-questions-for-seniors
Tips for Seniors in Preparing their Taxes
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/seniors-retirees/tips-for-seniors-in-preparing-their-taxes
…If you still need help with your federal taxes, you can find ways to contact the IRS online and via phone through the link below, as well as helpful information, such as contacting the IRS on behalf of someone else and what information and identification you should have ready. You can also call the NJ Division of Taxation through the second link below.
IRS “Let Us Help You”
https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance
NJ “Important Phone Numbers”
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/phonenos.shtml
…And, of course, you always need to be careful about tax collection scams. Just like we warned in our series on technology and scams, tax time is commonly used by scammers who claim to work with the IRS or other agencies. For more information on this and other tax collection scams you should watch out form, follow this link.
Watch Out for Tax Collection Scams
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/scamalert.shtml
…If you need to apply for property tax reimbursement, otherwise known as “Senior Freeze,” or learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, you can do so here through the link below:
2018 Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ptr/index.shtml
Finally…If you’ve already applied for property tax reimbursement, otherwise known as “Senior Freeze,” you can check on the status of your application at this webpage.
Check the status of your New Jersey Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement)
https://www20.state.nj.us/TYTR_PTR_INQ/jsp/PTRLogin.jsp
Tax season is at its height and the deadline to file your taxes on April 15th, 2019, is rapidly approaching. Don’t be late on your taxes!—Use the resources above to make sure you file your taxes correctly and on time. If you have questions about your taxes make sure to consult a tax expert or call the IRS or NJ Division of Taxation to seek help with your taxes and filing.
Mason Crane-Bolton is Communications Manager for the New Jersey Foundation for Aging. His writing has appeared in Epiphany, UU World, To Wake/To Rise, and others.