1. Gather Important Tax Paperwork — Taxpayers should have a list of common items needed for filing tax returns. These include Social Security numbers (SSNs) for the individuals on the tax return, your bank account and routing numbers, tax forms such as a W-2s, 1099s, 1098s and digital asset sale records. You should keep IRS Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement as well as any letters sent to you by the IRS.

2. Report All Income — Taxpayers are reminded that all income from any category is taxable. This could include income from goods that you created and sold online, investment income, part-time income, self-employment or business income and funds received for services through mobile apps.

3. Avoid Paper Returns — The best and safest way to file is with an electronic return or tax software. The software checks your math and guides you through each section of the return. After you have completed your data entry, a powerful benefit of tax preparation software is that it conducts hundreds of checks on your entries to ensure you have a correct return. If you file a paper tax return, your refund may be significantly delayed and the potential for filing errors increases dramatically.

4. IRS Free Resources — There are multiple resources to assist taxpayers. The IRS Free File program offers commercial software at no cost to individuals with income in 2024 of $84,000 or less. There are 25 states that participate this year in the Direct File program on IRS.gov. The web-based service is free for individuals with simple tax returns and guides you through the filing process with a series of questions and enables you to use your state’s tools to complete your state tax return. If your income is over $84,000, you can use the IRS Free File Fillable Forms. Most taxpayers with incomes of $67,000 or less, with a disability or limited English capabilities, or those age 60 and over, can benefit from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Military members may use the MilTax program.

5. Tax Filing Options — There are multiple methods for tax filing. Last year, over 54% of taxpayers used the services of a tax return preparer. The IRS maintains the Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications on IRS.gov. Many individuals will use commercial software, the IRS Free File system or the IRS Direct File system. Only a small percentage of individuals are expected to prepare their own taxes without outside assistance.

6. Online Resources — Taxpayers can use multiple resources on IRS.gov. The most popular resources are the Interactive Tax Assistant and the “Let us Help you” webpage.

Driving performance should be the determining factor of when to stop driving. With that being said, as your parent’s driving skills deteriorate over time, they might not recognize they may have a problem. For this reason, it is essential to work closely with your parent’s doctor to monitor their driving and help them stop when it is no longer safe for them to drive. Here are some tips that can help.

Watch for Warning Signs

The best way to keep tabs on your parent’s driving abilities is to take frequent rides with them and watch out for warning signs. Warning signs of unsafe driving include the following:

• Do they have trouble remembering routes to familiar places?
• Do they drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate, drift between lanes or fail to observe traffic signs?
• Do they react slowly or make poor driving decisions?
• Have they had any recent fender benders or tickets?
• Have you noticed any dents or scrapes on their vehicle?

If you need assistance with assessing your parent’s driving abilities, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist. These licensed professionals are qualified and trained to evaluate a driver’s physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities to see if they can drive safely. You can find a specialist in your area by visiting Myaota.aota.org/driver_search or Aded.net.

Transition Tips

If you believe it is still safe for your parent to drive, recommend some simple adjustments to ensure their safety. These can include driving only during daylight hours, sticking to familiar routes, as well as avoiding busy roads and bad weather. You may also encourage your parent to sign a “driving contract” that designates someone to inform them when it is no longer safe to drive. Go to Alz.org/driving and click on “Download.” Once the PDF file is downloaded to your computer, you can print it out to have your parent sign it.

You may also want to consider getting a GPS tracking device to help monitor your parent’s driving. These devices allow you to track their location and let you set up zones and speed limits. You will receive alerts to your smartphone if they exit a designated area, drive too fast or brake harshly.

Time to Quit

When your parent can no longer drive safely, it will be important to have a conversation with them. It is best to start having these conversations before they need to quit driving so your parent can prepare themselves. You also should have a plan for alternative transportation (including a list of family, friends and local transportation options) that will help them get around once they stop driving.

Refuses to Quit

If your parent refuses to stop driving, you have several options. First, suggest a visit to their doctor for a medical evaluation, and prescribe that they stop driving. Older people will sometimes listen to their doctor more readily than to their family members.

You should also consider contacting your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for help. Some states automatically revoke a license when a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, while many others require retaking a driving test. 

If these attempts fail, consider selling your parent’s car or moving it to another location where your parent will not have access to the vehicle. In addition, it is important to ensure your parent cannot access any other vehicles so be mindful of where car keys are left when family members, friends or medical staff visit your parent.

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.

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.