Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 16, 2024 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 a historic expansion of housing programs that will ignite affordable housing development and ease the housing crunch, as well as signifi cant relief for families with young children. It will also make Massachusetts a more competitive place to live and work and encourages businesses to continue investing in our region.” “Back in April, I stood at the rostrum for about 13 minutes and expressed a mix of support for the many elements of this bill that will help working families and people experiencing poverty — while at the same time criticizing the elements of this bill that will benefi t large corporations and the super-rich,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge), the only House member to vote against the package. “From my vantage point, this bill was signifi cantly improved through the conference committee process, and there are several elements of the bill I enthusiastically support,” continued Connolly. “And yet, as I stand here today, I still cannot bring myself to support the total price tag of $1.1 billion once fully implemented. Not after we just spent a decade working to pass the Fair Share Amendment to gain desperately needed new revenue … A lot more needs to be done, including bigger public investments in programs, services and infrastructure — investments that could be signifi - cantly constrained by the overall cost of today’s tax cut bill.” (A “Yes” vote is for the tax relief package. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes FREE PHONE CALLS FOR PRISONERS (H 4051) House 132-26, (Senate on a voice vote without a roll call vote), approved a proposal that beginning on December 1, 2023, would provide free phone calls and video calls for all prisoners in Massachusetts. The vote was mostly along party lines with all Republicans and one Democrat voting against the bill and all other Democrats voting for it. Currently there is no legal requirement for free phone calls in prisons. Each facility contracts separately for telephone service. “The telephone is a lifeline for people locked in prisons and their families, but phone company profi teering and kickbacks to prisons, have made calls unaffordable,” said Aaron Steinberg, Communications Director of Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts. “This landmark law will allow for precious human contact between incarcerated people and their children and other loved ones. This will help families thrive and help incarcerated people succeed when they return to our communities.” Steinberg continued, that under current law, “each facility contracts separately for telephone service and with current contracting provisions, facilities are given kickbacks called ‘site commissions,’ with little incentive to negotiate for the lowest rate.” “Every law abiding citizen that has a job and works 40 plus hours a week has to pay for phone calls,” said Boldyga. “Why are criminals entitled to free phone calls? It’s completely ridiculous and absurd that Democrats are giving free anything to criminals. Criminals and their families should be paying for their phone calls, not taxpayers. “ (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle Yes NEW CABINET POSITION: SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES (H 43) Senate 39-0 (No House roll call), approved Gov. Maura Healey’s reorganization plan that would split the current Executive Offi ce of Housing and Economic Development into two separate cabinet level departments: the new Secretary of Housing and Livable CommuniBEACON | SEE PAGE 19 Say nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Do I Need to File a Tax Return This Year? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax fi ling requirements for retirees this tax season? I didn’t fi le a tax return the past two years because my income was below the fi ling threshold, but I got a part-time job late last year, so I’m wondering if I’m required to fi le this year. Retired Worker Dear Retired, Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year (in 2023), as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax fi ling requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2023 gross income – which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefi ts, unless you are married and fi ling separately – was below the threshold for your fi ling status and age, you probably won’t have to fi le. But if it’s over, you will. Single: $13,850 ($15,700 INVITATION FOR BID Everett Housing Authority invites sealed bids from qualified moving service firms to undertake resident relocation tasks associated the rehabilitation of an elderly housing development known as North Everett/Whittier Drive Elderly (667/1A) Development in Everett, Massachusetts, in accordance with documents prepared by the Everett Housing Authority and in accordance with M.G.L. c.30B sec.5. The EHA is seeking moving services to relocate residents to temporary housing units and to conduct these temporary moves within the same site. The temporary relocation is for 56 1-bedroom elderly/disabled housing units. Everett Housing Authority expects the total cost of this contract to be approximately $140,000. The Contractor will provide boxes and tape as specified by the EHA and will pack, load, transport, deliver and unload all furniture and boxed household goods upon notification by the EHA to an onsite temporary storage pods leaving the existing apartment empty of all furniture and boxed items. The Contractor will furnish all necessary trucks, drivers, and loaders who will be subject to the exclusive orders and directions of the Contractor and under its exclusive control and will be employed and paid by the Contractor. INVITATION TO BID (IFB) documents will be available starting at 8:00 AM on Monday, February 12, 2024, by email at skergo.eha@comcast.net or in our office at 393 Ferry Street, Everett, MA 02149. Sealed Bids will be received until 2:00 PM on March 13, 2024, at which time they will be opened and read aloud publicly. No late submittals will be accepted. Bids may be dropped off or mailed to Everett Housing Authority, 393 Ferry Street, Everett, MA 02149 Respondents must submit sealed Bids with original signatures and labeled “Moving Services”. Everett Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Agency. Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Woman Minority Business Enterprises (WMBE) are encouraged to apply. February 16, 2024 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2023). Married filing jointly: $27,700 ($29,200 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $30,700 if you’re both over 65). Married filing separately: $5 at any age. H ead of house - hold: $20,800 ($22,650 if 65 or older). Qualifying surviving spouse: $27,700 ($29,200 if 65 or older). To get a detailed breakdown on federal fi ling requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2023,” or you can see it online at IRS.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf. Check Here Too Be aware that there are other financial situations that can require you to fi le a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS fi ling requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2023, owe any taxes on an IRA, Health Savings Account or an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, you’ll need to fi le. You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security benefi ts, and one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if you’re married and fi ling jointly. To figure all this out, the IRS off ers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to fi le, or if you should fi le because you’re due a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800829-1040. Check Your State Even if you’re not required to fi le a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from fi ling state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/ fta-members. Tax Preparation Help If you fi nd that you do need to fi le a tax return this year, you can free fi le through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile if your 2023 adjusted gross income was below $79,000. Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury. gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you. You can also get tax preparation assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/fi ndtaxhelp for more information. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior
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