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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Tax Assistance for Low Income Seniors of Blair County

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program is an olive branch of relief for low-income seniors who might be in over their heads with their income taxes. And let’s face it, who isn’t in over their head when it comes to income taxes? Income taxes are complicated. In fact, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation estimates that the American economy loses $230 Billion dollars each year in productivity just because income taxes can be so difficult to understand! And this can be especially true for older Americans who often have multiple sources of income, such as social security and pensions, as well as plenty of deductible expenses.

Knowledgeable, Certified Tax Preparation Volunteers Offer Free Help

The VITA program’s specially trained and certified volunteers are here to help. The VITA program exists to help low-income individuals who can’t complete their taxes themselves but can’t afford to hire a paid tax preparer. Just like hiring an accountant or paid preparer, VITA’s knowledgeable volunteers can help you interpret your forms, understand your finances, and ensure that you can get as large a return as possible!

Don’t miss out and risk paying too much on your taxes or getting into trouble with the IRS for filing them incorrectly. Contact Blair Senior Services, Inc. to get the help you need!

Blair Senior Services, Inc. Hosting VITA Tax Program Training

The VITA program’s specially trained and certified volunteers help low-income individuals who are unable to complete their taxes themselves but can’t afford to hire a paid tax preparer. Just like hiring an accountant or paid preparer, VITA’s knowledgeable volunteers can help interpret forms, understand finances, and ensure that the taxpayer can get as large a return as possible.

The VITA Program is an olive branch of relief for low-income individuals who need assistance with their income taxes which can be complicated. In fact, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation estimates that the American economy loses $230 billion dollars each year in productivity just because income taxes can be so difficult to understand. And this can be especially true for older Americans who often have multiple sources of income, such as social security and pensions, as well as plenty of deductible expenses.

Founded in 1974 as the Area Agency on Aging for Blair County, Blair Senior Services, Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation established to meet the needs of older adults living in Blair County, PA. In addition, Blair Senior Services, Inc. serves residents of all ages through diverse programming and services.  Their professional staff, volunteers, and fifteen-member Board of Directors are dedicated to the principles and values of dignity, empowerment, advocacy, and respect. For more information, please call 814-946-1235

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05/20/2021

​Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced that older adults who will soon be turning 65 and are not yet enrolled in Medicare can attend a free virtual event to learn about their healthcare coverage options when enrolling for Medicare.

 

The "Welcome to Medicare" event on June 23, open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will feature national presentations from the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs on Medicare eligibility, enrollment and coverage options. Representatives will be available to answer questions and assist older adults with information to enable them to make choices on Medicare coverage that best meets their needs and lowers their costs.

 

In Pennsylvania, this program is known as APPRISE. Throughout the national presentation, staff from APPRISE will host an exhibit for Pennsylvania and will respond to Medicare questions and provide information about the program. The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) – Pennsylvania's Senior Medicare Patrol – also will join APPRISE to discuss Medicare fraud prevention.

 

"We encourage anyone who is turning 65 soon to join our Virtual Welcome to Medicare Fair. Pennsylvania's Medicare Counseling Program is here to help older adults learn about signing up and navigating the complexities of Medicare, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and preventing fraud," said Susan Neff, APPRISE director. "We also invite those who attend to visit the Pennsylvania-specific virtual exhibit at any time during the event. The APPRISE and CARIE staff look forward to chatting with seniors about their Medicare enrollment concerns."

 

Older adults can register for this event here

 

The APPRISE Program has nearly 800 trained counselors in the commonwealth who provide free, confidential, objective, and easy-to-understand information about original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and determine what best meets their needs and save them money.

To learn more about the APPRISE Program or becoming a volunteer, click here or call the APPRISE Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 .

MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber, agingcomms@pa.gov

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Department Of Aging: June 23 Medicare Event Welcomes Future Beneficiaries With Information On Eligibility, Coverage Options