QUESTION: Each year I have my income taxes done by volunteers at my senior center. I have two questions. Are these services being offered again this year and who is eligible for these services?
ANSWER: Yes, tax preparation services will be offered again this year. I have information about these services for Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Simi Valley.
In Thousand Oaks services will be available at two locations starting Monday February 5th through Monday April 16th.
Services will be available at Conejo Creek South Community Building, 1350 E. Janss Road (directly across the street from the Goebel Center) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. These services will also be available at the Newbury Park Library located at 2331 Borchard Road on Wednesdays only from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
All services are on a 1st come, 1st served basis. No reservations will be taken. These free services are available to seniors 60 years of age and older at any income level and to persons with an income of $54,000 or less regardless of age.
As in past years taxpayers whose returns include Schedule E (rental income) are not eligible. Also if the return includes a Schedule C (profit and loss from a business) it will only be eligible if there is a profit and expenses are under $25,000 and it doesn’t include home use, inventory or depreciation.
Taxpayers should be prepared to present a Social Security card (for all dependents as well as the taxpayer) and a picture ID. They should bring the following: Social Security benefits statements (SSA 1099), wage and earnings statements W2s and 1099s, interest and dividend statements (1099 INT), (1099 DIV), (1099 B) as well as the cost of stocks and bonds with the date bought and sold, a copy of last year’s (2016) federal and state tax returns, bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit and any other relevant information about income and expenses.
No out-of-state returns or married filing separate returns will be accepted.
In Moorpark these tax services will be available for seniors 50 years of age or older at the Moorpark Active Adult Center, 799 Moorpark Road from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm the first three Wednesdays of the month starting February 7th through April 11th by appointment only. To make an appointment call (805) 517-6261.
Simi Valley will offer tax services to seniors 50 and older every Thursday and Friday starting February 8th through April 13th at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (805) 583-6363.
Tax payers using this type of service at other senior centers and libraries should call that specific location in advance to check for the days and hours of services and to determine if appointments are required.
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HAPPENINGS:
THURSDAY – February 8 – 10:00 to 11:30 am – Seminar – “Is It Time for Specialized Residential Care?” – at Agoura Hills Recreation & Event Center, 29900 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. For reservations call (818) 597-7361.
FRIDAY – February 9 – AARP Driver Safety Class – “Refresher Smart Driver Course” – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Cost is $15 for AARP members; $20 for non-members. Reservations can be made at (805) 381-2744.
SATURDAY – February 10 – 11:30 am to 1:00 pm – “Memory Café” – a social gathering for those with memory loss and their family caregivers – at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. Reservations are required and can be made at (805) 497-0189.
SATURDAY – February 10 – 5:00 pm – “Mardi Gras Masquerade dinner dance” – at Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Tickets are $9.00 and available at Goebel’s front desk.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Conejo Valley Adult School is looking for Volunteers to tutor adults in reading, writing and speaking English. An Adult Literacy Tutor Workshop is scheduled for Saturday January 27 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Conejo Valley Adult School, 1025 Old Farm Road, Room F in Thousand Oaks. For more information or to register for the workshop e-mail literacycenterofconejovalley.org/become-a-tutor.html.
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Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are located at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 or call (805) 495-6250 or e-mail bberry@seniorconcerns.org (please include your telephone number.) You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.
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