Financial

Savvy Senior: Do I Have to File Income Tax Returns This Year?

Details: Written by Jim Miller Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

What is the IRS standard tax deduction for 2021? I didn’t file a tax return last tax year (2020) because I lost my job and my income in March due to COVID. But I got a part-time job in 2021 and am wondering if I made enough money that requires me to file this year.

– Part-Time Retiree

Money Sense: Scram to Scams

Details: Written by Karen Telleen-Lawton Karen Telleen-Lawton

My most worn keyboard key is “delete.”

Tax-Aide Provides Low-Contact Service in Lebanon County

Details

Beginning Feb. 3 and continuing through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation through its Tax-Aide program.

Savvy Senior: Tax Breaks for Caregivers of Elderly Parents

Details: Written by Jim Miller Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

Are there any tax breaks that you know of for family caregivers? I help financially support my 82-year-old mother and would like to find out if I can write off any of these expenses on my taxes.

– Supplemental Sam

Social Security News: Get Your Social Security Benefit Statement

Details: Written by John Johnston John Johnston

We’ve made getting your annual benefit statement even easier. The benefit statement, also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA-1042S, is a tax form we mail each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits.

Legal Ease: Lots of Reasons to Rethink This Plan, Part 2

Details: Written by Jonathan J. David Jonathan J. David

Dear Jonathan: I am a widower and have five adult children. Rather than engage in any formal and costly estate planning, I plan to keep it simple by adding my daughter’s name to the title of my assets.

Social Security Announces 5.9% Benefit Increase

Details

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 5.9% in 2022, the Social Security Administration announced recently.

Legal Ease: Lots of Reasons to Rethink This Plan

Details: Written by Jonathan J. David Jonathan J. David

Dear Jonathan: I am a widower and have five adult children. Rather than engage in any formal and costly estate planning, I plan to keep it simple by adding my daughter’s name to the title of my assets.