Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 28, 2025 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 7 day we lost Lisa – she was truly one of the most beautiful souls to grace this earth and call Malden home. Danny, please know that we share in your grief, and Lisa’s warmth, kindness and spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her memory will never fade. Danny, you are in our thoughts and prayers during this most heartbreaking time. Postscript 2: Lest we forget... It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since we lost one of Malden’s finest, a true gentleman and a friend to so many – MPD Officer Algert “Al” Macy. Time moves too quickly, but memories hold steady, and Al’s legacy remains as strong as ever. Al left us in May of 2019, slipping away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family – a fareSavvy Senior 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 filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My earned income stopped when I retired last March, so I’m wondering if I need to file a tax return this year. Retired in 2024 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, as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing 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 filing separately – was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you probably won’t have to file. 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 filing 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 filing 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 financial situations that can require you to file 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 file. You’ll also need to file if you’re receiving Social Security benefits, 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 filing jointly. To figure 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 file, or if you should file 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 file 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 file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing 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 find that you do need to file 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 filing jointly, you can now file 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/findtaxhelp 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. well as gentle as the man himself. He was just 71, but those years were rich with purpose, friendship and service. A lifelong Maldonian with roots in Portland, Maine, Al wore many hats in his time: U.S. Navy Veteran during the Vietnam Era, devoted member of the Irish American Club, the American Legion and The Eagles. And, of course, he was a brother in blue, serving Malden proudly for 36 years. If you had the honor of knowing Al, you know exactly what I mean when I say he was one of the good ones – the kind of man who could light up a room with his presence, always quick with a kind word, a laugh or a helping hand. I was lucky enough to call him a friend, our bond formed in the old Y’s Health Club, where stories and laughter flowed as BBB | FROM PAGE 13 he did he wouldn’t show up at such time. I then asked for a refund which he agreed to do but never showed up again.” Tips to spot this scam • Watch out for “red flags.” Say no to cash-only deals, high-pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, handshake deals without a contract and on-site inspections. Not all “storm chasers” are con artists, but enough are that you should be cautious any time a home contractor contacts you first…especially after a natural disaster. • Ask for references and check them out. Bad contractors will be reluctant to share this information, and scammers won’t wait for you to do your homework. If you can, get references from past customers, both older references to check on the quality of the work and newer references to ensure current employees are up to the task. Check them out at BBB. MBTA | FROM PAGE 14 tween Oak Grove and North Station during the weekend of March 8 – 9. • A dedicated diversion schedule is available on mbta.com. • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service between Oak Grove and North Station. • Regular Commuter Rail fares freely as the hard-earned sweat. Today, in 2025, his spirit lives on in the brave young men and women who walk the same beat, protect the same streets and carry the same honor in their hearts (hello, Gus, Evan, JP, Glen, George, Trent, Sal, Noelle and the rest of you). Al set the standard, and he set it high. We miss you, Al. But as long as we remember, as long as we share your stories and speak your name, you will never be forgotten – not by your family, not by your friends and not by the city you loved so dearly. Rest easy, Big Al.” —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@ aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. org to see what other customers have experienced. And always get a written contract with the price, materials and timeline. The more detail, the better. • Know the law. Work with local businesses that have proper identification, licensing and insurance. Confirm that your vendor will get related permits, and make sure you know who is responsible for what according to your local laws and that your vendor is ready to comply. Find trusted, vetted home improvement contractors near you and check out BBB’s home HQ. For more information Go to bbb.org. Visit BBB’s home improvement HQ to make your next project a success. To report a scam or research a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker (www.bbb. org/scamtracker). To learn how to protect yourself, go to “10 Steps to Avoid Scams.” At BBB. org, look up business profiles, file a complaint or write a customer review. will be collected between Bradford and Oak Grove. • Bus Route 137 will be fare-free. • This service change was in place to support critical signal upgrade work at North Station and work as part of MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project, which will replace the two MBTA | SEE PAGE 21
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