26 Mar When do you have to file an income tax return?

Q. A friend’s elderly mother gets her taxes done by a CPA. She gets Social Security and a small pension every month. Last year she stopped having federal taxes deducted from her pension. He said next year she won’t have to file an income tax return because no taxes will be taken out of her small pension. Could that be correct?
— Unsure

A. It absolutely could be correct.

Here’s why.

“Social Security benefits are taxed on a sliding scale depending on total income,” said Michael Karu, a certified public accountant with Levine, Jacobs & Co. in Livingston.  “If the pension is small enough and no federal or state taxes are withheld, it is likely that she will not have any taxable income.”

“Filing becomes a formality,” he said.

For those looking for help with their taxes, there are several free resources out there.

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) service offers free basic tax return preparation for people who generally make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities and for limited English-speaking taxpayers, the IRS said.

VITA sites are operated by volunteers who have been certified by the IRS.

Those over age 60 can find free help through through Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), where taxpayers can find help with pension and other retirement-related issues.

TCE sites are staffed by AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers who receive training and IRS certification.

Before going to a VITA or TCE site, you should review what services are provided in IRS Publication 3676-B and review the IRS’ “What to Bring” list to make sure you have all the documents you will need.

You can find a VITA or TCE site at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or call (800) 906-9887. Note that some locations require appointments.

The tax filing deadline is April 15, 2024.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published in March 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.