January 23, 2006
SHASS offers tax form assistance
This is the one downer about welcoming in the New Year - taxes. I'm in the midst of compiling my personal tax information. Every year I tell myself to be more organized, but every year I still scramble to file my paperwork for the IRS.
To make your tax preparation easier, SHASS will have volunteers to help you, at no charge, with your Homestead Property tax rebate or a Home Heating Rebate credit. Our volunteers will not complete your 1040 forms. There are other agencies that provide help with that. If you call SHASS at 269-637-3607, we can give you names of agencies that do the entire tax preparation for free. You can also check out our website at www.shass.org for information.
If you want SHASS to help you with your rebates, call 637-3607 to set up an appointment. Make sure to bring your social security statement showing your income for 2005, any wages you received in 2005, interest and dividend income, pensions and/or disability income, such as veterans, or other forms of support such as family help or charities.
If you want to file a Homestead Property tax rebate, bring a copy of your tax bills paid in 2005. You may have had a winter and a summer tax bill. To get full credit, you will need both. If you can't find the paid bills, call your city or township treasurer's office for information.
If you want to file a Home Heating Rebate credit, bring in all of your heating bill information for gas or oil for the year 2005.
If you are a renter filing Home Heating Rebate credit, SHASS will need the name and address of the landlord, except if you live in River Terrace or Harbor View apartments. If heat is included in the rent, SHASS volunteers will figure out the rebate allowance. If your heat is not included in the rent, please have something to show how much you paid for gas or oil for the year 2005.
Once tax season is over, you may contemplate on getting more fit in 2006. If so, SHASS has a comprehensive program that may be just what you need.
In February, SHASS will be registering people for Lighthouse Steppers and Lighter Club. One part of the program deals with nutrition and the other nutrition. You may enroll for one or both parts. Program registration will take place on Tuesday, 28 February. For people 50 and over, the yearly membership fee is $10 for one program and $15 for both. For those under 50, the yearly membership fee is $20 for one program and $30 for both.
The Lighthouse Steppers involves fitness. Two treadmills and a recumbent bike are located at the Warren Center in South Haven, and one treadmill is located at the Simpson United Methodist Church in Bangor. The program includes indoor walking tracks both in South Haven and Bangor (outdoor trails as well). New members receive a pedometer and a daily walking log.
The Lighter Club is a series of nutrition classes, weekly weigh-in, peer support for dieting seniors, dieting tips, nutritional information packet for new members and effective lifestyle changes, and weekly support.
For more information, check out our web site at www.shass.org or call Mary at 637-3607.
SHASS is pleased to be a United Way Partner agency. SHASS serves the cities of South Haven, Bangor and the townships of Arlington, Bangor, Casco, South Haven, Columbia, and Geneva. SHASS office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can call us at 269-637-3607, or use our toll free number 1-866-627-8904.
SHASS strives to connect individuals with outreach programs and educational opportunities that promote independence through volunteers and community support.
May all go well with your taxes.
Posted by Sandra at 01:40 PM | Comments (0)