The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers that the season for natural disasters is approaching. The springtime can bring floods while summer is known for tornadoes and windstorms. In the fall season, there is a higher risk for fires and hurricanes.

With the substantial risk of floods, fires, tornadoes, windstorms, hurricanes and other natural disasters, it is important for all Americans to take protective steps. These steps could include securing and duplicating essential documents, creating documentation of collections and other valuable properties and understanding how to find assistance. By preparing ahead, taxpayers will be able to recover financially from a natural disaster faster with proper documentation.

1. Secure Your Documents — You should keep your important documents in waterproof containers and in a secure location. Important items include your tax returns, birth certificates, deeds to your home and other property, insurance policies and similar documents. Some individuals choose to have a copy of these documents held by a relative or friend in a different state.

2. Copies of Documents — Some of your documents are available only on paper, so you may wish to scan them into a digital file format. Once they are scanned, you have the option of transferring the documents to a commercial cloud-based storage system for additional security.

3. Inventory of Valuables — Taxpayers should have a detailed inventory of valuable property. You may take photos or videos of collections, art, jewelry or other valuable items. It is also helpful to have a general description of your property, which may include the make and model numbers of some items.

4. How to Get Help — If you are the victim of a natural disaster, it is important to understand how to obtain assistance. You will want to contact your insurance agent to report the loss. Some financial institutions can provide statements and electronic documents that may assist you in rebuilding your financial affairs. The IRS.gov site has a helpful page called "Reconstructing records after a natural disaster or casualty loss."

5. IRS Assistance — The IRS provides assistance after a federal disaster has been declared. The IRS “Tax relief in disaster situations” webpage may be helpful. In many cases, the IRS delays filing or tax payment dates. The date will be specific for your affected area, so check visit IRS.gov for details. There also is an IRS disaster hotline at 866-562-5227.

6. Disaster Loss Deduction — If you have a substantial loss, you may qualify for a disaster loss deduction. The uninsured or unreimbursed disaster loss may be deductible. Check out the rules set forth in IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts.

Everyone should prepare and be ready for natural disasters. It is important to develop an evacuation plan and set aside essential items before a storm or other disaster threatens your life and property.

For people with disabilities and medical conditions, service dogs can offer helpful assistance. These specially trained animals not only assist with daily tasks but also offer great companionship and an invaluable sense of security. However, it is important to note that acquiring a service dog can be costly and there may be a long waiting list to get one. Here is what you should know.

While most people are familiar with guide dogs that help individuals that are visually impaired, there are a variety of assistance dogs trained to help people with physical disabilities, hearing loss and other medical conditions.

Unlike most pets, assistance dogs are highly-trained specialists – often including breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds. These dogs are trained to understand and execute approximately 40 to 50 commands. Service dogs are well-behaved, calm and are granted access to all public areas. Here is a breakdown of the different types of assistance dogs and what they can help with.

Service dogs: These dogs are specially trained to help individuals with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease and chronic arthritis. They typically perform tasks that the owner may find challenging, like carrying or retrieving items, picking up dropped objects, opening and closing doors and turning light switches on and off. They can also aid with balance support, assist with household chores and alerting others when help is needed.

Service dogs can also be trained to help people with medical conditions like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, autism, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disabilities.

Guide dogs: For the blind or visually impaired, guide dogs help in navigating their surroundings safely. Guide dogs help their handlers avoid obstacles, stop at curbs and steps, navigating through shopping centers and buildings, as well as finding doors, seats and pedestrian crossing buttons.

Hearing dogs: For those who are deaf or hearing impaired, hearing dogs can alert their owner to specific sounds such as ringing phones, doorbells, alarm clocks, microwave timers and oven timers, smoke alarms, approaching sirens, crying babies or someone calling out the owner’s name.

Finding a Dog

If your parent is interested in getting a service dog, contact a credible assistance dog training program. Use the Assistance Dogs International website (AssistanceDogsInternational.org) which provides a listing of around 85 accredited members and 35 candidate programs in North America.

After you locate a program, you will need to either visit their website or call them to learn about the types of training dogs they offer, the areas they serve, how long their waiting list is and what they charge. Most dog training programs charge anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 or more for a fully trained service dog. However, many programs can assist with fundraising or grant applications for those in need. It is important to note that none of these expenses are covered by health insurance or Medicare.

To get an assistance dog from an accredited program, your parent will need to show proof of disability, which a physician can provide. Your parent will also need to complete an application and undergo an interview process. In order for your parent to become familiar with the dog, they may also need to go and stay at the training facility for a week or two so they can receive training on how to handle the dog.

It is also important to understand that assistance dogs are not for everybody. They require time, money and care that your parent must be able and willing to provide.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

The IRS reminds taxpayers they are required to file their tax return by April 15, 2025. Before filing, you should be certain you have all the required documents. It may be helpful to create an IRS Online Account. This gives you secure access to your prior tax returns and other key information. The IRS also encourages taxpayers to retain their tax documents in a digital format to facilitate tax filing.

Some taxpayers have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If an ITIN remains unused for three consecutive years and expires, the taxpayer should renew it through IRS.gov.

There are many tax changes and updates that will benefit taxpayers. The Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) has increased to $1,700 for each qualifying child. The IRS cannot process ACTC refunds until mid-February, but that deadline has passed, and refunds may now be issued.

The standard deductions for 2024 have increased. The deduction is $14,600 for a single person, $21,900 for a head of household or $29,200 for a married couple or a qualifying surviving spouse. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is $2,000 for qualifying children. The credit is phased out for upper-income individuals with income over $200,000 ($400,000 with a joint return). A child must be age 17 or under on December 31, 2024 to qualify for the CTC.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is available to taxpayers without a qualifying child if they are between age 25 and 65 as of December 31, 2024.

There is an adoption credit of $16,810 per eligible child. This phases out with a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) over $252,150.

The Clean Vehicle Credit (CVC) is allowed up to $7,500 for a qualifying new vehicle. It is reported on IRS Form 8936. The clean vehicle credit for new vehicles is phased out for incomes over $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for a married couple. For used clean vehicles, the CVC is $4,000 and is phased out for incomes over $150,000 for joint filers and over $75,000 for single filers.

An IRA contribution may be made up until April 15, 2025. The IRA limit for 2024 is $7,000 ($8,000 for individuals age 50 or older). The Roth and traditional IRA limits are phased out for many upper-income taxpayers.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that there are several no-cost filing options for many individuals.

1. IRS Free File — The IRS Free File program offers commercial tax software at no cost to the taxpayer. It allows a free federal and, in some cases, state tax return. It is available for individuals with incomes under $84,000. You can use IRS.gov to review the Free File programs and select one of the commercial software vendors.
2. Direct File — The federal government developed the Direct File software, which is available for taxpayers in 25 states. The Direct File program options are listed on IRS.gov. It has been expanded for the 2024 tax year. Options include the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) and other credits. Direct File taxpayers may not itemize but must use the standard deduction. They also may include student loan interest, education expenses or health savings account (HSA) contributions.
3. MilTax — MilTax is a free program through the Department of Defense. It is available to all active-duty military individuals. The software includes specific information for military members who are deployed in combat or have housing allowances. It allows the filing of a federal tax return and up to three state tax returns.
4. VITA and TCE — The IRS supports a free tax return preparation service for qualified individuals. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs are available in many locations. You can use the VITA Locator Tool on IRS.gov to find the best location.

The requirement to file a federal income tax return this year depends on several factors, including your total income in 2024, the source of your income, your age and your filing status. Here is an overview of the IRS tax filing requirements for this tax season.

If your 2024 gross income, which includes all taxable income but excludes Social Security benefits (unless you are married and filing separately), was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you likely will not have to file a federal income tax return. The 2024 tax filing thresholds are the following:

• Single: $14,600 ($16,550 if you are 65 or older by January 1, 2024).
• Married filing jointly: $29,200 ($30,750 if one taxpayer is 65 or older or $32,300 if both taxpayers are over 65).
• Married filing separately: $5 at any age.
• Head of household: $21,900 ($23,850 if 65 or older).
• Qualifying surviving spouse: $29,200 ($30,750 if 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, you can call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 (and 1040-SR) Instructions” for Tax Year 2024. You can also find information online at IRS.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040gi.pdf.

Other Situations

Other financial situations may require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income is below the IRS filing thresholds. For example, you must file if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2024, owe any taxes on distributions from an IRA or Health Savings Account, are subject to an alternative minimum tax or receive premium tax credits related to enrollment in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan.

If you receive Social Security benefits, you are required to file a return if the sum of one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000 ($32,000 if you are married and filing jointly).

The IRS offers an online tax tool that guides you through a series of questions to help determine if you need to file a tax return or if you should file for a refund. This process typically takes less than 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA and click on “Filing Requirement – Do I need to file a tax return?” For additional assistance, you can call the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.

Check Your State

Even if you are not required to file a federal tax return this year, you may still need to file state income taxes. State law can vary significantly, and each state has its own set of rules. Check with the applicable state tax agency to determine if you are required to file a state tax return this year. For links to state tax agencies, visit Taxadmin.org/fta-members.

Tax Preparation Help

If you need to file a tax return this year, you can file for free at IRS.gov/FreeFile, which is a partnership program between the IRS and tax software companies. Your 2024 adjusted gross income must be below $84,000 to qualify. If you have a simple tax situation and income below $200,000, or $250,000 if married and filing jointly, you can file your taxes for free through the new IRS Direct File program in 25 states at DirectFile.IRS.gov.

For middle and low-income taxpayers who are 60 or older, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program for free tax preparation and counseling. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you. You can also check online to find nonprofits that provide tax return preparation assistance free of charge for qualified individuals.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

With a growing number of fraudsters and scammers looking for victims, it is important for individuals to be able to distinguish legitimate IRS staff from imposters. All taxpayers should understand basic ways to protect themselves from fraudulent text messages, emails, phone contacts or in-person visits.

1. Text Messages — The IRS does not send text messages to individuals with shortened links. Scammers will frequently send text messages that include a bogus link. If you receive an unexpected text, you should NOT click on links or open attachments.
2. Send a Screenshot — If you do receive a suspicious text message, you should send a screenshot of it as an attachment to phishing@irs.gov. For individuals with an iPhone, you can take a screenshot by clicking both the Volume Up and the Power button of your phone at the same time. The screenshot will appear as a thumbnail in the lower left corner of the screen. Click on the screenshot to edit, select Done at the top left and save it to your photos. You may then select the photo of the screenshot, click the lower left button to allow you to choose your email service and send an email to phishing@irs.gov with the screenshot.
3. Email Scams — The IRS does not ask for personal or financial information with an initial contact by email. The standard IRS contact will be through several letters by regular mail. Any suspicious emails should also be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. For additional instructions, visit the "Report phishing and online scams" page on IRS.gov.
4. Individuals Who Owe Tax — If you owe tax to the IRS, you can expect to receive several letters prior to a phone call. The IRS may follow up the letters with a phone call if you have an overdue tax bill, a delinquent tax return or have failed to make an unemployment tax deposit. The IRS emphasizes it will not demand immediate payment by specific payment methods like debit cards or gift cards or ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. They will also not threaten you with arrest by the local police or demand tax payments without giving you an opportunity to appeal the claim. These strategies all indicate you are talking with a scammer.
5. IRS Agent In-Person Visits — Generally, IRS officers only make visits after you have received several notices by mail. The IRS Revenue Agent may make a visit for the purpose of education, investigation and appropriate enforcement steps. IRS auditors may also mail an initial appointment letter and generally will call and confirm the date prior to a scheduled audit appointment. If you have an in-person visit with an IRS representative, you should always ask for his or her credentials and HSPD-12 card, a government identification card that will display the agent’s photograph.
6. Resolving Tax Issues — On IRS.gov, there are several helpful sections that may assist taxpayers in creating payment plans. You can pay taxes through an Online Account with IRS Direct Pay or by using your debit or credit card. There are individuals who may qualify for a payment plan or an Offer in Compromise. The IRS again emphasizes it will not demand immediate payment, will not ask for credit or debit card numbers, will not threaten to have you arrested by local police and will always offer an opportunity to appeal. You may also be eligible to have an IRS Appeals Officer review your case prior to any further action.

Editor's Note: The fraudsters and scammers continue to become more sophisticated. Many of them build a relationship with the victim through multiple emails or phone calls prior to committing fraud. Individuals should be careful and request further verification if they have multiple contacts with someone who claims to be from the IRS.

It is recommended that all individuals with high blood pressure (130/80 or higher) use a home blood pressure monitor. Monitoring your blood pressure at home can help you track your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure, it will also ensure that the medication is working and may alert you to a health problem. Here are some important factors to consider when looking for blood pressure monitors.

Best Monitors

The most accurate and user-friendly home blood pressure monitors are automatic upper arm monitors, powered by electricity or batteries. These monitors tend to be more reliable than wrist or fingertip monitors. With an automatic arm monitor, you simply wrap the cuff around your bicep and push a button on the device which will cause the cuff to automatically inflate and then deflate, reporting your blood pressure on the display window in a matter of seconds.

Many automatic monitors come with advanced features such as irregular heartbeat detection to identify arrhythmias and other abnormalities, risk category indicators that tells you whether your blood pressure is in the high range and a data-averaging function for more accurate readings. Additionally, some models may include multiple user memory that allows two or more users to save their readings separately and downloadable memory that transmits data to your smartphone or computer.

You can purchase blood pressure monitors without a prescription at pharmacies, medical supply stores or online. Prices may vary depending on where you purchase the blood pressure monitor.

How to Measure

After you buy your monitor, consider taking it to your doctor’s office so they can check its accuracy and make sure you are using it properly. Here are some additional steps to follow to ensure you get accurate measurements at home.

Be still: Do not exercise, smoke or drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol for at least 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. It is also best to empty your bladder and ensure at least five minutes of rest for the most accurate results.

Sit correctly: Sit with your back straight and supported (preferably on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Ensure the middle of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Refer to your monitor’s instructions for an illustration.

Do not measure over clothing: Put the cuff directly on your skin. Placing it over clothes can raise your systolic (upper) number by up to 40 mmHg.

Measure at the same time: It is important to take your blood pressure at the same time each day, such as in the morning before taking medications or in the evening before dinner.

Take multiple readings: Each time you measure, take at least two readings one to three minutes apart and record the results.

For more information on high blood pressure and how to accurately measure it at home, visit Heart.org/HBP.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Over half of Americans use a professional tax preparer. The IRS provides a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with credentials and select qualifications on IRS.gov. Here are some key tips that will help you select a qualified and reputable tax preparer.

1. Tax Preparer Qualifications — All paid tax preparers must have a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). You should expect them to include the PTIN on your tax return. Many also have professional organizational membership or specific education. They should disclose their qualifications to you.
2. Tax Preparer History — Some preparers may have a history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This record would show any disciplinary action. There may be a record of action by a state board of accountancy for a certified public accountant (CPA) or by a state bar association for attorneys. The IRS Office of Enrollment keeps records on the enrolled agents who prepare taxes.
3. Fees for Service — Reputable tax preparers will generally charge a fee based on their hourly rate or a fixed amount. You should be careful to avoid any tax preparer who charges a fee that is a percentage of your tax refund. The refund also should be deposited directly into your checking account and not into the checking account of the tax preparer.
4. Electronic Filing — If a paid preparer files more than 10 returns, he or she is required to file electronically. The only exception is if you are required to file a paper return. The IRS has processed over 1 billion individual tax returns that have been filed electronically. Most taxpayers are far better off with an electronic tax return. This will reduce the time before you receive a tax refund.
5. Contact Information — Your tax preparer should provide all of their information, including an office address, email address and phone number. If there is any problem with your return, you may need to consult with your tax preparer about your response to the IRS.
6. Records and Receipts — You should expect your tax preparer to ask for all your records and receipts. He or she will need to verify your income, expenses, deductions and other data. Do not file a return with a tax preparer who completes the return before receiving your records and receipts.

The IRS also cautions taxpayers to be careful of "red flags." If any of these red flags are present, you should consider finding a different tax preparer.

1. Blank Return — You should avoid any tax preparer who asks you to sign a blank return. Your return should be fully complete before you sign it.
2. No Taxpayer Review — If your preparer asks you to sign the return without an opportunity to review it, that is a major problem. Taxpayers are legally responsible for the accuracy of income tax returns; you need to read through the return and see that your personal information has been included. If you have questions, the tax preparer should be willing to provide basic explanations about the return.
3. No PTIN on Return – All paid preparers are required by law to include the PTIN on the return. While the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for its accuracy. They should also provide you with a copy of your tax return.

If you are involved with a tax preparer who has one or more of these red flags, you can report the tax preparer to the IRS. Use IRS Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer on IRS.gov.