YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Older adults have special tax situations and benefits which can get tricky around tax season.
Since the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will start accepting tax returns next week, here are a few tips to get you ready to file a return.
The York County AARP Foundation Tax Aid Program is a nationwide program that partners with the IRS.
Many older adults and seniors are told to find tax help and do their filing online. However, that can be difficult for those who aren’t tech-savvy. The York County AARP has over 120 volunteers and 13 sites across the county to help those 50 and older prepare their taxes.
Here are some things to know heading into tax season:
- Gather your important documents.
- Social Security form (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR)
- Retirement Distribution (Form 1099-R)
- W-2 (1040)
- Interest (Form 1099-INT)
- Dividends (Form 1099-DIV)
- All income documents
- If you have a small business, you need documentation of the expenses associated with the small business.
- Wait for all your forms to come in.
- Most of the documents you need will start coming in towards the end of January, which is why the IRS will start accepting taxes on Jan. 29.
- If you don’t wait, your return will be inaccurate and you’ll either have to get an addendum or the IRS will reach out to you.
- Check to see if you’re required to file this year.
- If you're 65 or older, you have to file a return for tax year 2023 if your gross income is $15,700 or higher.
Here are some helpful websites for filing taxes for those aged 50 and up:
If you would like help from the York County AARP Foundation Tax Aid program, here are a few locations.