Looking for honest Tax person, familiar with Alz icing on cake - Urgent

Bel414

Hi Everyone, This is my first post. My mom has Alz. My dad is in some denial. I am the oldest of three children and I now live with them as an adult. We are in Milwaukee. My parents grew up poor, tight circles of friends. The same friend has been doing their taxes for 40 years. She had a health scare last week. My parents need a trustworthy tax person to do their taxes ASAP. They own their home, two SS checks, 2 city pensions. Does anyone know of someone near - or even far who will do right by my mom and dad? If they know about Alz great. It's April 10th. Due date April 17. ANY suggestions, names are welcome in Milwaukee for FAR AWAY through mail.. I would be grateful. M

Jo C.

Hello and welcome Belinda. I can understand the challenge needing to find a trustworthy tax person, it takes a bit to feel trust. One thing: You have included your personal phone number. It is dangerous to do that and I would recommend editing and deleting it. Editing is done by looking up to the right of your posting box . . . there are three little dots; click on that and it will permit you to edit your message, but I think the edit function is only permitted for 24 hours. The Guidelines also state not to include personal information for your own safety.

I do not live in your area, but I would guess you are not looking for a CPA level tax person.

You may be comfortable for adequate knowledge and trustworthiness by looking online for an, "Enrolled Agent." They are licensed and have other measures and ongoing education they must meet. You can use Google to read what an enrolled agent is about and also find one using a computer search for your area.

We use an Enrolled Agent where we live for our taxes. It is a little more expensive but trustworthy and the fee is tax deductible on our state taxes.

Best of luck in this,

J.

Michael Ellenbogen

My advice is ti file a delay due to health reasons. If they owe money you will need to pay for the interest but that is better than rushing what you don't know considering the short time you have.

secondcor521

My father has Alz/VD.

(Mods, if the following recommendation is not acceptable, please feel free to edit/remove/advise.)

I am a volunteer for AARP Foundation Tax Aide. Tax Aide prepares and files federal and state income tax returns for free, regardless of age and income. There is no AARP membership requirement. We train every year on tax law and have to pass tests on both taxes and ethics.

If you decide to use Tax Aide, you will need to bring your parents' IDs, SSA-1099s, pension tax forms (probably 1099-Rs) and any other relevant tax documents. You will also need to bring both of them to sign a form authorizing Tax Aide to file their return, or a POA document showing you have authority to file their taxes for them. You could also paper file their return if you want. It's helpful, but not required, to bring their tax return and information from the previous year (2021). Reviewing their 2021 return may also point you to additional tax items that you may want to track down.

The tax return process would be done while you wait, and would take about an hour. You may have to wait in line for a bit also. We can e-file and do direct deposit and direct debit.

You can find a site near you or your parents by going to https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html

There is nothing in particular about Alzheimer's tax-wise. However, if your parent(s) end up needing to go into assisted living or memory care, then the entire cost of their care (rent, food, and medical) is deductible on Schedule A as an itemized deduction (subject to a 7.5% of AGI floor). Since AL and MC are expensive, this can have pretty large impacts on your parents' tax returns.

In my state, there is a tax deduction or credit for maintaining a home for the elderly. You may want to check to see if your state has anything similar.

The tax filing deadline this year is April 18th, but the AARP sites generally shut down a few days prior to the deadline. The site locator above should tell you which sites are open this week.

ALZConnected Moderator

@Belinda Berdes, please note that we removed the personal information that you included in your post. We ask that you do not post personal details (email address, phone number, etc.) as per our Community Guidelines. Thank you for your understanding.

Bel414

Thank you so much for all of your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!