The Houston Senior Center will offer free assistance with completing the Missouri rebate on rent expense, real estate tax or nursing home expense and simple 1040s.
The free assistance, coordinated by Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, has become one of the community’s most popular services. Each year, Tax Counseling for the Elderly assists thousands of seniors all across 17 counties of southwest Missouri.
The center’s IRS-certified volunteers are available to provide confidential assistance with completing these rebate claims under the MO-PTC program. Persons may call 417-967-4119 on Mondays and Thursdays to schedule an appointment. For additional TCE sites, call 800-497-0822.
Also, 1040s will be prepared on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Appointments are necessary.
To request assistance with tax form completion, persons should provide the following paperwork to the tax site:
—Valid photo ID.
—Last year’s tax return (if available).
—This year’s tax forms (if received).
—All income statements (i.e., 1099 Social Security statements, pension/retirement fund statements, interest dividends, W-2s, etc.).
—Paid real estate property tax receipt or a statement of your entire rent for 2006 (with your landlord’s signature and Social Security number). The form is available at the Houston Senior Center to landlords. If the home resides on more than five acres, bring a statement from the county assessor showing the homestead portion.
—Veterans (disabled or otherwise) should bring documents of proof.
Tax counselors can determine if you are eligible for the Missouri PTC (housing expense) rebate. PTC rebates take into consideration real estate property tax, rent, mobile home lot rental, personal property tax on mobile homes and nursing home costs paid from personal resources. Applicants must have been 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2006, 60 or older if receiving surviving spouse Social Security benefits or 100 percent disabled, and they must have been a Missouri resident for the entire year of 2006. If you rent from a facility that does not pay property taxes you are not eligible for a property tax credit.