Guilderland Senior News for Sunday, February 5, 2017

The Guilderland Senior Services is offering the following activities the week of Feb. 6. Call the senior office at (518) 280-7607 with any questions or for information. The new location for senior services is 141 Bavarian Way, Altamont, NY 12009. Transportation’s phone number is (518) 356-2920.

— Monday: Scheduled shopping, aerobics at 9 a.m., Strong Bones Plus and senior fitness at 10:30 a.m. and Strong Bones Plus at 1:30 p.m.;

— Tuesday: Strong Bones Plus at 9 a.m., luncheon of turkey meatloaf or cold plate at 11:30 a.m., and Bingo/Rummikub at 12:30 p.m.;

— Wednesday:  Scheduled shopping, senior strength and balance at 9 a.m., Strong Bones Plus and senior fitness at 10:30 a.m., needlecraft at 1 p.m., and Strong Bones Plus at 1:30 p.m.; 

— Thursday:  Scheduled shopping, library trip to East Town, Silver Sneakers and Strong Bones Plus at 9 a.m., Silver Sneakers Yoga Stretch at 10 a.m., Mahjongg and Pinochle at 12:30 p.m.; and

— Friday: Scheduled shopping, painting at 10 a.m., intermediate bridge at 12:30 p.m., and quilting at 1 p.m.

Strong Bones Plus classes are held at the town hall.

Tax help

Beginning Monday, Feb. 6, through Monday, April 16, free income tax preparation and email filing will be provided Mondays and Saturdays at the Guilderland Public Library by the all-volunteer American Association of Retired Persons Tax Aid Program.

Volunteers are trained and certified in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, and prepare personal federal and state income-tax returns for taxpayers of all ages with low and moderate incomes.

Appointments are necessary; a separate appointment is required for each taxpayer. Bring a copy of last year’s return, Social Security cards for all people on the tax return, photo identification, all 2016 W-2 forms, 1099 statements, sold investments with purchase dates and cost basis, and supporting documents if itemizing deductions.

Also, if these apply, bring supporting documents for any gambling winnings, medical insurance coverage, payments for any child care, payments for education, contributions to an Individual Retirement Account, and estimated tax payments you made during 2016. Bring your checkbook if you want a direct deposit of your refund.

Tax-aid volunteers can’t do estate or partnership returns, returns with rental income, or returns requiring Schedule C (business returns with a net loss, inventory, employees, or expenses over $25,000).  Both taxpayers must be present if filing a joint return, except in case of illness or infirmity.  

Please call the appointment call center by dialing 211.

HEAP

People with monthly incomes under $2,300 for one person or $3,007 for two people, etc. are eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program called HEAP. This grant can be received each heating season and goes directly to the heating company.

The amount of the payment to each person is determined by income, living expenses, and type of fuel.  Applications are available at the Senior Center. We can help complete applications by appointment.

GHS spring musical

The Guilderland Players’ next musical will be “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
Big business means big laughs in this delightfully clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder. The tune-filled comic gem took Broadway by storm, winning both the Tony Award for best musical and a Pulitzer Prize.

J. Pierrepont Finch, a young New York window washer with large ambitions believes he can be a success in the corporate world after he impulsively picks up the book “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.” The book promises its reader that he can climb the corporate ladder simply and quickly.

Senior Citizen Night will be Thursday, March 16, at 7 p.m., and tickets will be available at a cost of $5 each (cash only), in the senior office in late February; call ahead to check on ticket availability at  (518) 280-7607.

Limited transportation will be available for this event.

Defensive driving

The AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety volunteer instructor, is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older. We schedule classes every other month for odd-numbered months.

This six-hour class is held on two weekday mornings, three hours each day. The cost for this class is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. After completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion that can be presented to your insurance agent for a possible reduction in your auto insurance premiums for three years. There is no test to pass.

If you are interested, please call to be put on class list. This class is also offered online by visiting aarp.org/drive.

Property tax exemption

People 65 years old or who will be 65 in this year whose annual income is less than $37,400 may qualify for a partial property tax exemption, based upon their 2016 income. An application must be filed by March 1.

Income includes: pension, Social Security, bank interest, and dividends and all other income. It is necessary to provide proof of the following: deed, birth certificates of owners, pension forms, Social Security (white form), and income-tax forms. All owners must sign the forms.

Please call the assessor’s office for information on veterans or disability exemptions. 

STAR

Homeowners may be eligible for a school property tax relief on their primary residence only. The School Tax Relief or STAR credit or exemption applies only to the school-district tax, not to other property taxes such as county, town, or city.

To receive a new STAR credit, you must register with New York State Department of Tax and Finance at (518) 457-2036 or at www.tax.ny.gov. If you already have a STAR exemption, you may file an application for an Enhanced STAR exemption with the town assessor who is located in the Guilderland Town Hall.

The “enhanced” program is available to people 65 and older with income for 2015 under $86,000. For additional information, please contact the town of Guilderland assessor’s office at (518) 356-1980.  

“Younger Next Year”

On Thursday, Feb. 16, at 11:30 a.m., Atria Senior Living Community invites you to a viewing of a DVD “Younger Next Year,” research presented by Dr. Henry Lodge on how seniors can improve quality of life and aging through engagement exercise and nutrition.

There will be discussion after the video as well as lunch. Atria Senior Living Guilderland is located at 200 Mill Rose Court, off of State Farm Road, by the Stewart’s Shop.

Please call Sue Purga at (518) 256-4569 by Feb. 9 to reserve your spot at this program.