Senior Resource Directory Senior Resource Directory

FINANCIAL SERVICES
not due until you move out, sell
or die and do not have a spouse
or other qualifi ed individual who
continues to reside in the home,
or allow future property taxes to
become delinquent. You may pay
all or part of the lien at any time.
Par tic i pa tion in the pro gram is voluntary.
You must fi le for each year
you want postponement.
State Controller
P.O. Box 942850
Sacramento, CA 94250-2880
800-952-5661
Other Tax Assistance
Volunteer Income Tax
As sis tance ( VITA)
Available at locations throughout
Santa Barbara County. Vol un -
teers are trained by IRS and the
Franchise Tax Board to assist in
the preparation of your state and
federal income tax, renters credit,
homeowner’s assistance and renter’s
assistance forms and to answer
ques tions regarding the various
tax programs. An ap point ment is
usually necessary. For in for ma tion
on the nearest site, call Senior Connection
at 800-510-2020.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
( TCE)
Specially trained volunteers are
available in local communities
during tax time to help taxpayers
60+ complete their own federal tax
forms.
This free program is sponsored by
the Internal Revenue Service.
AARP Tax Aide Program
888- AARP-NOW
(888-227-7669)
For information about counseling
sites provided by this program.
Call Senior Connection for the
site and time most convenient
for you. Services for in di vid u als
who are unable to leave their
homes are also available. For any
questions regarding California
Personal Income Tax, Bank and
Cor po ra tion Tax or deductions
for Senior Citizens, Disabled or
Blind, Call:
Franchise Tax Board
800-852-5711
800-822-6268 (TDD)
www.ftb.ca.gov
For questions regarding Federal
Tax Forms, tax information, or
problem resolution, call:
Internal Revenue Service
800-829-1040
www.irs.gov
Tax forms, tax in for ma tion and
problem resolution. For questions
regarding your property taxes,
contact the County Assessor’s
Office listed under Homeowners
PROP ER TY TAX EXEMPTION in
this section.
Special Income Tax Credit for
the Elderly or Dis abled
This tax credit is available to U.S.
citizens only who are at least 65 at
the end of the taxable year OR who
are under 65 at the end of the taxable
year and retired on permanent
and total disability, (you cannot
have reached retirement age— as
es tab lished by your employer),
and you must have received taxable
disability benefi ts. Schedule
“R” (Forms 1040), “Credit for the
Elderly or the Disabled,” must be
fi led with your income tax return.
All eligibility requirements and a
full explanation of the credit is described
on Schedule “R”. To obtain
Schedule “R”, call 1 800-829-3676.
36 2005-2007 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY
SMOKING:
It’s Never Too Late To Stop
“I’ve smoked two packs of
cigarettes a day for 40 years -
what’s the use of quit ting now?
At any age there are many
reasons to stop smoking.
Some of the benefi ts for
older peo ple include:
• Reduced risk of cancer and
lung dis ease.
• Healthier heart and lungs.
• Improved blood
circulation
• Better health for
nonsmoking family
members, particularly
children
Smoking doesn’t just cut a
few years off the end of each
smoker’s life - it prematurely
kills thousands of people and
seriously dis ables millions of
others.
There are many ways to stop
smoking. No single method
works for ev ery one, so each
person must try to fi nd what
works best. Many people
stop on their own, and others
need help from doctors,
clin ics or or ga nized groups.
Some studies have found that
older people who take part in
programs to stoop smoking
have higher success rates than
younger ones do.
Source: NIA Age Page