TAXPAYER HANDOUT FOR TAX PREPARATION

TAXPAYER HANDOUT FOR TAX PREPARATION

Southfield Parks and Recreation Center

26000 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI 48034

(248) 796-4650

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays -- February 1 to April 15, 2021

The Southfield Senior Adult Facility is partnering with AARP and Tax-Aide Volunteers to assist taxpayers in

preparing their 2019 Federal, Michigan, and City income tax returns. This free service is at Southfield Parks &

Recreation, 26000 Evergreen Road, in the Southfield Civic Center. The program is primarily for low- and

middle-income seniors, but there are no income or age limits.

Doing Taxes in a Pandemic

In response to the pandemic, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has revised tax preparation processes to protect the

health and safety of taxpayers, volunteers, and host site personnel. Tax preparation procedures outlined here

may be adjusted as community COVID levels change.

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Health and safety procedures designed to protect taxpayers, volunteers, and host site personnel include:

o In-person contact is limited to two short visits (10-15 minutes each) to

? scan all pertinent tax documents, and

? print and sign the virtually-prepared tax return.

o Everyone must wear a face covering and maintain proper social distancing in a well-ventilated

space.

o Additional host site protocols must be followed; current requirements include a forehead

temperature check, a short health survey, and a written entry consent that includes contact tracing

information.

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Appointments are required:

o You will be required to wait outside until called in at your appointment time.

o Appointments are currently available for March 15 through April 15, 2021.

? Additional appointment dates may be added in January for part or all of February 1 ¨C

March 14 only if COVID conditions allow.

o Appointments will be automatically cancelled if conditions worsen and the site is closed.

o In addition to the usual IRS/AARP Intake/Interview form, IRS requires Form 14446 be

completed and signed consenting to virtual tax preparation.

? These forms should be filled out before entering the scan area to minimize in-person

contact - at home completion is recommended, otherwise you will be asked to complete

the forms in your car before entry.

o You must have an email address and the ability to view PDF files sent to you.

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Tax preparation will be done virtually by telephone (home or cell) or video conference (smart phone,

tablet, or laptop/PC):

o The first call will be from the counselor assigned to you; the purpose will be to review your

documents and Intake/Interview form.

o Expect additional calls during tax preparation and quality review processes.

o Once the return is prepared and internally approved, you will be emailed a link that allows you to

review your tax return on your computer device prior to making the second appointment to visit

and sign your return.

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IRS requires all your scanned data be deleted shortly after e-filed returns are accepted.

CHECKLIST FOR OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BRING FOR SCANNING

You should bring ALL the documents listed below that you may have received or risk multiple trips to get your

tax return completed:

1. Photo ID ¨C Driver¡¯s license or another government-issued photo ID. This helps prevent ID theft.

2. Social Security Card ¨C For you, your spouse, children and ALL dependents listed on your return.

3. 1095 Form or Medical Insurance Card

4. Copy of last year¡¯s (2019) tax return ¨C Federal, Michigan, and City and any other correspondence

from these agencies regarding prior year returns. We CANNOT ¡°look up¡± information for you.

You will need to contact IRS directly yourself.

5. Social Security Statement ¨C For 2019 and each prior year for which you want to file.

6. Documents for all 2020 income and payments you received or made:

? SSI Statement ¨C Disability payments if you are disabled.

? W-2¡¯s from all employers.

? Gambling winnings (W-2G)

? Pension, IRS and/or annuity statements (1099-R) ¨C If any of these statements are missing, the

IRS will impose interest and penalties if they are not reported.

? Unemployment income or tax refunds (1099-G).

? Any other 1099 Forms (there are many types) ¨C from interest, dividends, part-time work,

stock sales, etc.

? Self-employment income or any other income, even if undocumented or part-time.

IF YOU PLAN TO ITEMIZE DEDUCTIONS, bring

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List and total of all medical expenses not paid by insurance ¨C only the part that exceeds 7.5% of your

Adjusted Gross Income is deductible.

Property tax and other taxes paid (auto registration, sales tax on auto, boat or other large purchases)

Total charitable contributions paid in cash or check, and an itemized list.

Receipts of donated items.

Dependent care provider¡¯s name, address and SSN or ID Number and receipts showing total amount

paid.

List and total for other allowed deduction.

The standard deductions thresholds for tax year 2020 are:

Filing Status

Single or married filing separately

Married filing jointly

Head of household

Age less than 65

$12,400

$24,800

$18,650

Age 65 or above

$14,050

$27,400

$20,300

IF YOU WANT THE MI ¡°HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT¡± OR RENTER¡¯S CREDIT, bring

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Property tax bills ¨C showing assessed value and receipts showing taxes paid.

Rent receipts and total rent paid for the year.

Name and address of landlord.

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If you live in co-op housing or partially subsidized housing, bring your letter from the co-op showing

your taxable value and your rental agreement.

IF YOU WANT THE MICHIGAN HOME HEATING CREDIT, bring

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Total heating cost for the year ¨C usually shown on the December 2020 or January 2021 bill.

OTHER TAX FORMS AND LETTERS YOU MAY NEED TO BRING:

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Identity theft PIN number and letter from IRS ¨C if you have had a tax ID theft in the past.

Education scholarship form ¨C 1098-T and other documents showing expenses paid.

IRS or MI tax letters you received in 2020.

Estimated tax paid ¨C if you made payments yourself.

IF YOU WANT REFUNDS DIRECTLY DEPOSITED INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, bring

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Blank check showing bank routing and account numbers. (Deposit slips cannot be used.)

SOME ITEMS ON A TAX RETURN WE CANNOT DO:

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Rental income from a home or part of your home or a second home.

Business or self-employment income where there are expenses greater than $25,000, a loss, cancellation

of debt, depreciation or there are employees (even part-time employees)

Moving expenses

Income tax for ministers or military personnel

Certain other complex tax issues, such as K-1 Schedules.

Married filing separately without copies of spouse social security card, identification copy, income

information, and knowledge of whether spouse is itemizing or taking the standard deduction.

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