Please call 978-657-7595 to inquire about any of the following services.
“Free Income Tax Assistance”
The Department of Elderly Services is excited this year to be able to provide the “Free Income Tax Assistance” through the IRS, VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) at the Wilmington Town Hall auditorium for elderly residents. Scheduled appointments should be arranged through the Buzzell Senior Center – 978-657-7595. The program will start Wednesday, February 1, 2012 thru Wednesday, April 1, 2012. The appointments will be scheduled between 9:00AM – 1:00PM. All returns are prepared with computer accuracy and with electronic filing for rapid refunds. Clients should bring:
• This year’s tax information along with last year’s tax returns to their
appointments
• W-2 forms
• Your social security & pension information
• Tax forms sent by financial institutions
• Your property tax & water bills
• Health Insurance card – 2 cards for married taxpayers
If anyone is in need of transportation, please make the arrangements at the same time you make your appointments and please feel free to call the department with any questions at 978-657-7595.
Circuit Breaker Tax Credit
What is the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit?
The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is a state income tax credit for eligible Massachusetts residents age 65 or older who paid rent or real estate taxes during the tax year. Even though the credit is based on property taxes, the state government, not the city or town, pays the credit.
The credit is for senior homeowners and renters who meet income limits and other eligibility requirements. Homeowners may claim the credit if they paid more than 10% of their total income for real estate taxes, including water and sewer debt charges. Renters can count 25% of their rent as real estate tax payments.
You must file a state income tax return to claim the Circuit Breaker Credit, whether or not you have to file otherwise. If your credit is greater than the amount of income taxes you owe, the state will give you a refund for the difference. The maximum credit for tax year 2011 is $980.
Am I eligible?
The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is for low and moderate income seniors whose real estate tax payments* are greater than 10% of their income. Homeowners and renters can claim the credit.
*Renters can count 25% of the rent payments they made during the tax year as real estate tax payments.
To qualify:
- you or your spouse must be age 65 or older by the end of the tax year
- if married, you must file jointly
- you cannot be the dependent of another taxpayer
- you must rent or own a home in Massachusetts that is your principal residence
- if you are a homeowner, your property's assessed value cannot be greater than $729,000 on January 1, 2011
- if you are a renter, you cannot be getting a federal or state rent subsidy (such as Section 8), and your landlord must pay property taxes
- you must meet the income limits
- the amount you paid for real estate taxes must be greater than 10% of your total income
What are the income limits
Your total income cannot be greater than these limits for the 2011 tax year:
- $52,000 single
- $65,000 head of household
- $78,000 married filing jointly
"Total income" includes some types of non-taxable income, such as social security, retirement, pensions and annuities, cash public assistance, tax-exempt interest and dividends, and certain other income. For details, see the list of specific items included in total income and specific items excluded from total income on the DOR web site.
What benefits will I get?
The maximum tax credit you can get is $980 for tax year 2011. The actual credit you will get depends on your income and your real estate tax payments.
- If your real estate tax payments for the year were less than or equal to 10% of your total income, you do not qualify for the circuit breaker tax credit.
- If your real estate tax payments were greater than 10% of your total income, subtract 10% of your income from your real estate tax payments to find the amount of your tax credit, up to a maximum of $980 for tax year 2011.
If you did not claim the circuit breaker tax credit in previous years, you can go back and claim the credit now. You are allowed to file back three years to claim the credit. The circuit breaker credit was started in 2001.
Fuel Assistance Program
The Community Teamwork, Inc. Fuel Assistance Program is available to new applicants starting November 1, 2011 and runs thru April 2012. Fuel Assistance can help pay part of your home’s winter heating bill. Any Wilmington resident who is 60 years or older in need of fuel assistance, please call to set up your appointment for assistance in this application process with Terri Marciello at 978-657-7595. Wilmington residents that applied last year and are receiving renewal applications in the mail may also call for an appointment. Residents under the age of 60 should contact the Billerica Veteran’s Agent (978-671-0968). The income guidelines are as follows:
Household Size Maximum Annual Gross Income
1 $31,218
2 $40,824
3 $50,429
4 $60,035
5 $69,641
6 $79,246
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