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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2022 Page 15 BEACON | FROM Page 14 1. February 18 is National Caregivers Day; what First Lady in the 1930’s became known as a caregiver? 2. How are fl ip, lutz and loop similar? 3. In what decade were miniskirts most prevalent? 4. On Feb. 19, 1878, Thomas Edison patented the phonograph; the fi rst recording was a recitation of what nursery rhyme involving an animal? 5. Who coached the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1966? 6. Where would you fi nd the world’s highest tide? 7. Which country has the most donut shops per capita: Canada, Japan or the United States? 8. What Winter Olympics sport omits sweeping in its Paralympics version? 9. On Feb. 20, 1895, Frederick Douglass died; he escaped from slavery in what state that is nicknamed the Chesapeake Bay State? 10. What author of “The Prophet” stated, “Kindness is like snow – it beautifi es everything it covers”? 11. February 21 is National Sticky Bun Day; the German name for the treat is “schnecken,” Answers which literally means what mollusk? 12. The steel drum musical instrument originated in what Caribbean country having two main islands? 13. What are the three kinds of sleds at the Winter Olympics? 14. On Feb. 22, 1512, what Italian-Spanish explorer died who gave his name to the New World? 15. What is the oldest swim stroke? 16. The African Meeting House, a discriminationfree place for worship and meetings, was built in what Boston neighborhood in 1806? 17. On Feb. 23, 1813, the world’s fi rst power mill to process cotton from spinning to weaving was incorporated in what Boston suburb? 18. The first successful electric car in the United States was built in Des Moines, Iowa, in what year: 1891, 1932 or 1984? 19. Reportedly, which has caused more human deaths: bees, fl ies or snakes? 20. February 24 is National Tortilla Chip Day; what state, upon a proposal by elementary school students, designated tortilla chips and salsa the state snack? Do I Have to File Income Tax Returns This Year? Dear Savvy Senior, What is the IRS standard tax deduction for 2021? I didn’t fi le a tax return last tax year (2020) because I lost my job and my income in March due to COVID. But I got a part-time job in 2021 and am wondering if I made enough money that requires me to fi le this year. Part-Time Retiree Dear Retiree, Whether or not you are required to fi le a federal income tax return this year depends not only on how much you earned last year (in 2021), but also the source of that income, as well as your age and your fi ling status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2021 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 may not have to fi le. But if it’s over, you will. • Single: $12,550 ($14,250 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2022). • Married fi ling jointly: $25,100 ($26,450 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $27,800 if you’re both over 65). • Married fi ling separately: $5 at any age. • Head of household: $18,800 ($20,500 if 65 or older). • Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $25,100 ($26,450 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 2021,” or you can get it online at IRS.gov. Check Here Too You also need to 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 fi ling requirements. For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2021, owe any special taxes like 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 approximately 12 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 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/statetax-agencies. Tax Prep Assistance 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 2021 adjusted gross income was below $73,000. 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 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. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/ fi ndtaxhelp for more information. 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. keting life-saving devices and powerful drugs, including opioids,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Besford) who also had sponsored the fi rst gift ban and licensing bill in 2006. “The corruption of the sacred doctor-patient relationship by the pharmaceutical industry by schmoozing at fancy restaurants is exactly the consequence that the original gift ban law was intended to prevent. Such dinners contribute to the illegitimate relationship between some physicians and [the] industry that can make some doctors feel obliged to prescribe highcost brand name drugs, even when a cheaper alternative may be more appropriate.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible latenight sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of February 7-11, the House met for a total of six hours and 26 minutes and the Senate met for a total of four hours and 11 minutes. Mon. Feb. 7 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:24 a.m. Senate 11:09 a.m. to 11:26 a.m. Tues. Feb. 8 No House session No Senate session Wed. Feb. 9 House 11:03 a.m. to 12:13 p.m., No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 10 House 11:00 a.m. to 3:54 p.m. Senate 11:42 a.m. to 3:36 p.m. Fri. Feb. 11 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. 1. Eleanor Roosevelt 2. They are fi gure skating jumps. 3. The 1960’s 4. “Mary Had a Little Lamb” 5. Red Auerbach 6. The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia 7. Canada 8. Curling 9. Maryland 10. Kahlil Gibran 11. Snail 12. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 13. Bobsled, luge and skeleton 14. Amerigo Vespucci 15. Breaststroke 16. Beacon Hill (considered the country’s oldest Black church building) 17. Waltham 18. 1891 19. House fl ies, which spread disease through bacteria 20. Texas

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