Senior Age Area Agency on Aging and the West Plains Senior Center offer free income tax assistance for seniors.
Appointments will be taken through February, and the agencies will continue scheduling appointments based on need. The last day for assistance through this program is April 10.
Those seeking appointments should bring a writing utensil to fill out the intake form; a photo ID and Social Security Card for each person on the tax return; last year’s tax return; documentation for all income including SSA-1099 for all of 2023, W2s and 1099 forms for pension and IRA distribution, interest income and sale of real estate. Anyone with an Identity Protection PIN should bring it. Those with insurance through Health Insurance Marketplace or healthcare.gov should bring a form 1095-A. Otherwise, those with health insurance should bring documentation showing the premiums that were paid through the year.
If direct deposit is desired for a refund, bring a blank or canceled check.
Anyone filing for the Missouri Property Tax/Rent Refund credit should bring documentation of paid real estate taxes, plus a Form 948 completed by the county assessor for those with more than 5 acres of land, or, if renting, a receipt from a landlord stating the full amount of rent paid in 2023, complete with the landlord’s signature, address and phone number.
To claim the credit, taxpayers must be at least age 65 and a Missouri resident for the entire year, a widow(er) 60 or older and receiving surviving spouse Social Security benefits, fully disabled or a disabled veteran whose disability is service-connected, with prove from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs confirming. Income limits are $30,000 for the year for single-person households or $32,000 for married renters and $34,000 for married homeowners.
To schedule an appointment at the senior center, 416 E. Main St. in West Plains, call 417-256-4055.
