Lifelong offers free tax preparation for seniors

Tax season can be stressful, especially for seniors who are more likely to be on a fixed income.

For more than four decades, Lifelong has helped not only seniors, but also people with disabilities and families with an income less than $60,000 help make the season slightly less stressful by offering free tax preparation through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program.

Lifelong executive director Liza Berger said residents more than 60-years-old or participated in the program last year can sign up for appointments beginning Feb. 4, those appointments run through April 14. Taxpayers 60-years-old or older can also have complimentary tax preparation for their spouse, even if they aren’t 60-years-old or older.

All other residents who qualify can call and register for an appointment starting March 1. The program has limited availability, and spots for appointments fill up quickly. The number to call is 607-216-7862 to book an appointment between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“We’ve run the free tax preparation at Lifelong for 41 years and the program is mainly made up of dedicated volunteers that make up of up to 30-years of service with the program,” Berger said.

Lifelong has been a membership-based organization for more than 60-years.

The program is coordinated by Khaki Wunderlich, who implemented a virtual offering to the program for those who were not comfortable with going out or not able to go out in public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year Berger said she expects 75% of returns to be filed in-person. There are three locations that will offer in-person services: the Lifelong downtown center located at 119 W. Court St. in Ithaca, the Ulysses Philomathic Library located at 74 Main St. in Trumansburg and the Southworth Library located at 24 W. Main St. in Dryden, which is new this year.

Berger said TCE has nearly 30 volunteers to advise participants this year, and from February through April, the phone lines, and the workers, are very active helping people with their taxes.

“It’s a busy time when this happens,” Berger said. “We expect to fill up, but we have a very dedicated group and under Khaki’s leadership it’s a well-oiled machine.”

She also said 80% of the taxpayers who participate in the program are more than 60-years-old.

There will  be a facilitated self assistant option where tax-payers can complete their returns themselves while being overseen and supported by certified tax preparers.

Berger said during the 11-week program Lifelong expects to prepare more than 800 free tax returns. She said the program receives some funding from the Internal Revenue Service and the Tompkins County Office of the Aging.

She declined to say how much those grants are for, but said Lifelong also supplements a portion of the cost.

According to Lifelong’s website: About | Lifelong (tclifelong.org), the organization aims to be a hub for adults who are 50-years-old or older, with the center being in the downtown Ithaca location on West Court Street.

It also offers classes and lectures aimed to stimulate the mental, social, physical and creative help of its members while serving as a social and support center.

Lifelong’s mission statement is “To enhance the lives of older residents in Tompkins County.” Berger said she believes this tax service helps to fulfill that mission.

In the lengthy time the program has been offered, she said there have been residents who have come back to the program year-after-year, saving thousands of dollars on the cost of having someone else prepare their taxes.

“It’s been really important,” she said. “We’ve had taxpayers who have come here for years to get their taxes done and especially for individuals who are living on a limited income, for them to go to a preparer who charges, they might pay $300 or more to get their return completed, so for someone who is living on a limited income, it’s especially important to have this free service available.”

Berger said that Lifelong will also be launching a new website in February. Berger said the new website will feature a more modern look and allow for people to register for classes online.

Donations are accepted by Paypal or by check. Checks can be mailed to: Lifelong Friends, 119 W. Court St., Ithaca, NY. 14850 or can be dropped off at the front desk between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m..

Membership price is based on a sliding scale, with an individual membership costing between $20-$40 per month, and $35-$75 for a household.

Membership benefits include a 20% discount coupons for Mary Durham Boutique, a 25% discount on Cornell Concert Series tickets, 25% discount on Ithaca YMCA membership for Lifelong members 60-years-old and older, 10% discount on first year with Love Living at Home and free ScienceCenter passes, among other benefits which can be found on Lifelong’s website.