Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 10, 2018

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 10, 2018 10 THE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGSTHE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGS
INCOME TAX FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR RETIREES 


Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for seniorsthis year? I didn’t file a tax return the past two years becausemy income was below the filing requirements, but I got apart-time job late last year, so I’m wondering if I’m requiredto file this year. 

Part-time Retiree 

Dear Part-time, 
Whether or not you are required to file a federal incometax return this year will depend on how much you earnedlast year (in 2017), and the source of that income, as wellas your age and filing status.

Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s (2017) IRS taxfiling requirement thresholds. For most people, this 
is pretty straightforward. If your 2017 gross income –
which includes all taxable income, not counting yourSocial Security benefits, unless you are married and filingseparately – was below the threshold for your filing statusand age, you probably won’t have to file. But if it’s over, youwill. 
Single: $10,400 ($11,950 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1,2018).

Married filing jointly: $20,800 ($22,050 if you or yourspouse is 65 or older; or $23,300 if you’re both over 65).

Married filing separately: $4,050 at any age.

Head of household: $13,400 ($14,950 if age 65 or older).

Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $16,750($18,000 if age 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filingrequirements, along with information on taxable andnontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and 
ask them to mail you a free copy of the “Tax Guide forSeniors” (publication 554), or see IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/
p554.pdf. 

Check Here Too 

There are other financial situations that can require youto file a tax return, even if your gross income falls belowthe IRS filing requirement. For example, if you hadearnings from self-employment in 2017 of $400 or more,
or if you’re receiving Social Security benefits and halfyour benefits plus all other income, including tax-exemptinterest, exceeds $25,000 (or $32,000 if you are marriedfiling jointly), you’ll probably need to file. 


To figure this out, the IRS offers an interactive taxassistant tool on their website that asks a series of 
questions that will help you determine if you’re requiredto file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund. Ittakes less than 15 minutes to complete.

You can access this tool at IRS.gov/filing – click on the“Do I Need to File?” button. Or, you can get assistanceover the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-8291040. 
You can also get face-to-face help at a TaxpayerAssistance Center. See IRS.gov/localcontacts or call 800829-
1040 to locate a center near you. 

Check Your State 

Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return thisyear, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filingstate income taxes. The rules for your state might bevery different. Check with your state tax agency beforeconcluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links tostate tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/state-tax-agencies. 

Tax Preparation Help

If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year,
you can get help through the Tax Counseling for theElderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TECprovides free tax preparation and counseling to middleand low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800906-
9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate aservice near you.

Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCEprogram that provides free tax preparation at around5,000 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site 
call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp. Youdon’t have to be an AARP member to use this service. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. JimMiller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and authorof “The Savvy Senior” book. 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …February Birthdays* 

Beatrice DaRe, Cathrine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-Marie Stockdale, Susan 
Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana 
Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, Mary Beth Knox, 
Sharon Lefler. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 


Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! 
Everyone is welcome to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 

Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson isavailable for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointmentsare required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 

include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntarydonation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cakeprovided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic class
utilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class 
equipment is provided. 



Whale Watching Tour (Long Beach) 

Date: Friday, February 16, 2018 
Time: 10:30a.m. – 4:00p.m. 

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $30 (Does not include lunch)
Join Harbor Breeze Cruises on an exciting California Whale watching journey to viewsome of the largest mammals on the planet! The experienced Long Beach crew and knowledgeable 
Aquarium of the Pacific educators will guide onboard guests and spectators asthey search all types of awe-inspiring marine life. Participants can bring their own lunch 
to enjoy on the boat or purchase snack items on board. Level of Walking: Low/ MediumRegistration for Sierra Madre Residents starts now through Monday, February 5th. Non-resident registration 
starts online or in person on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. 

SENIOR CINEMA - 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY 


February 7th at 1:00 p.m.
Lion (2016)

A traumatizing true story of a five year old, Saroogets lost on a train which takes him thousands of milesacross India, away from home and family. Saroo mustlearn to survive alone in Kolkata, before being adoptedby his AustralianParents. Twenty-five years later, with his unwavering determination and arevolutionary technology, Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family.
Rated PG-13. Run Time: 2h. 


February 21st at 1:00 p.m.
Hell or High Water (2016) 


Toby is a divorced father who’s trying to make a better life for his son. Hisbrother Tanner is an ex-convict with a short temper and a loose trigger finger.
Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that’s about to foreclose ontheir family ranch. This film received four nominated Academy Awards, including 
Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges. Rated R. Run Time:
1h 42m. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Whale Watching Tour (Long Beach)

Date: Friday, February 16, 2018 

Time: 10:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: 

$30 (Does not include lunch)

Join Harbor Breeze Cruises on an excitingCalifornia Whale watching journey to view some of the largest mammals on theplanet! The experienced Long Beach crew and knowledgeable Aquarium of thePacific educators will guide onboard guests and spectators as they search all typesof awe-inspiring marine life. Participants can bring their own lunch to enjoyon the boat or purchase snack items on board. Level of Walking: Low/ MediumRegistration for Sierra Madre Residents starts now through Monday, February 5th. Nonresident 
registration starts online or in person on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com