Page 16 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes in 2025? Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about the IRS income tax fi ling requirements for retirees this tax season? My earned income stopped when I retired last March, so I’m wondering if I need to fi le a tax return this year. Retired in 2024 Dear Retired, Whether or not you are required to fi le a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year, 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 2024 gross income – which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits 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: $14,600 ($16,550 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2024). Married filing jointly: $29,200 ($30,750 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $32,300 if you’re both over 65). Married fi ling separately: $5 at any age. Head of household: $21,900 ($23,850 if 65 or older). Qualifying surviving spouse: $29,200 ($30,750 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 2024,” or you can see it online at IRS.gov/ pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf. Check Here Too Be aware that there are other fi nancial situations that can require you to fi le a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2024, 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 fi le if you’re receiving Social Security benefi ts, and one-half of your benefi ts 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 fi gure all this out, the IRS offers 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 “Filing Requirements – Do I need to fi le a tax return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040. 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 diff erent. 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 File at IRS.gov/FreeFile, which is a partnership program between the IRS and tax software companies. Your 2024 adjusted gross income must be below $84,000 to qualify. Or, if you have a simple tax situation and your income is below $200,000, or $250,000 if you’re married and fi ling jointly, you can now fi le your taxes for free through the new IRS Direct File program in 24 states at DirectFile.IRS.gov. If you need some help, contact the IRS sponsored Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, which provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 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 at AARP.org/fi ndtaxhelp or call 888-227-7669. 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 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 28, 2025 TIDE BOYS | FROM PAGE 14 “But then, we bounced back nicely to play our best game of the season, while sending the seniors off with a well-deserved win against a (solid) playoff-bound Marblehead team.” Senior captain Emilia Maria Babcock poured in 24 points to lead the team in scoring, once again. Maria Babcock also played tenacious defense, which led to numerous fast break opportunities. Junior Katerin Landaverde Vasquez brought “huge energy” to the team, according to Dunn, as a starter, and BASKETBALL | FROM PAGE 14 ble, scoring the fi rst 10 points for Mystic Valley and fi nishing the quarter with 12 points total. By the end of the fi rst quarter, the Eagles held a 16-2 lead. By halftime, the Eagles were comfortably ahead, 30-10, with contributions across the board: LaFeber (5 points), Emily DeLeire (4 points), Bailey DeLeire (3 points) and Ssewankambo (2 points). In the third quarter, the Eagles’ lead ballooned to 26 points, with DeLeire adding 8 more points, LaFeber adding 3 and DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 11 create systems for recycling those materials after being used which will reduce fossil fuel emissions and waste. Encourage retirement planning: This legislation would create a statewide retirement planning program to ensure that workers all over the state can access a retirement savings account even if their employer doesn’t offer one. Compensation for work-related scarring: This legislation would eliminate the restrictive requirement that compensation can only be given to employees who endure work-related scarring that is exclusively on their face, hands, or neck, and allow those employees to access more comprehensive compensation as a result. Access to Counsel: This legislation would ensure that tenants and homeowner occuwhen all was said and done, she contributed 10 points to the winning cause, while also making some big stops on defense down the stretch. Freshman Julianna Rivera was “extremely poised and confident running the offense,” said Dunn, and she even chipped in with 10 points. Juniors Nicole Damaceno and Casey Martinez each accounted for six points. The Tide also never let up on defense. “We really excelled on our help defense, which we have been working on all year long,” said Dunn. “We controlled the pace of the game, and continued to push Emily DeLeire with 1 point. The defense continued to stifle Northeast, holding them to just 6 points in the quarter. Mystic Valley entered the fi nal frame with a 42-16 advantage. The Eagles didn’t let up in the fourth quarter. Their defense again shut down the Knights, limiting them to 6 points. On off ense, Bailey DeLeire scored 4 points, while freshmen Vayla St. Louis and Ella Mangone each scored their fi rst varsity points, contributing 4 points apiece. Ssewankambo also added 1 point to the total. Bailey DeLeire pied landlords have full legal counsel in eviction proceedings. ENOUGH Act: This legislation will create an innovative strategy to fi ght poverty by investing resources in high need neighborhoods and collaborating with community residents to help drive decisions that will ensure investments increase economic mobility. Poverty Commission As Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Poverty Commission, Senator DiDomenico has hosted community hearings across the state to gather insight from people living in and working to address poverty. The goal of the commission is to study the ball up the fl oor quickly. A combination of great passes, solid decision-making under pressure and unselfi sh team basketball made me proud of these young ladies.” On Feb. 13, Lowell was able to double up the Tide at home, 60-30. María Babcock was the leader on off ense with 11 points. Rivera and Damceno were perfect from the free throw line, going 4-for-4 and 2-for2, respectively. Against aforementioned Gloucester on Feb. 18, Maria Babcock (10 points) and Martinez (8) were the team’s top scorers. sealed the victory by scoring the fi nal 3 points, giving the Eagles a 33-point lead. Bailey DeLeire fi nished with a game-high 27 points; LaFeber added 12 points and Emily DeLeire grabbed 8 rebounds to go with 5 points. Ssewankambo contributed 3 points and 13 rebounds, while St. Louis and Mangone each recorded 4 points in their varsity debuts. Mystic Valley will conclude its regular season at home on Tuesday, February 18, hosting Neighborhood House Charter School at 5:30 p.m. the ways our state can best address inequality, reduce poverty, and promote opportunity in the Commonwealth over the next 10 years. Now the hearings have been completed, and the commission of over 30 elected officials, policy experts, and advocates have gathered recommendations. Senator DiDomenico will use these recommendations to fi le an anti-poverty omnibus bill. This legislation will address the root causes of poverty, increase pathways to economic opportunity for everyone, and ensure residents have equal and easy access to all of the essential services that our state provides to people in need. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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