50+ Lifestyles

2018 Iowa Rent Reimbursement and Tax Preparation Assistance

CASI Offers Free Filing Assistance for Older Adults

By Kathy Malmloff
CASI Director of Senior Services

A new year can bring new worries for area seniors who are struggling to pay bills. This is the time of year when increases in insurances rates, deductibles and medication fees take place, and those increase coupled with tax preparation fees can make the first few months of the year a very stressful and financially challenging time.

The Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI) is here to help area seniors who are in need. CASI’s Senior Advocacy Program provides free community services to older adults who are in need of programs to help them stay at home, safe and independent for as long as possible. One of the free community programs provided by CASI is assistance with filing for the Iowa Rent Reimbursement Claim.   

CASI’s Senior Advocates are available to assist older adults who are eligible to file for the 2018 Iowa Rent Reimbursement Claim. CASI is one of three Scott County locations recognized by the Iowa Department of Revenue, to assist with this claim process.

Those interested in filing this claim must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Born before 1954 or,
  • Were born between 1954 and 2000 and totally disabled. Proof of disability must be included with your claim.
• Lived in Iowa all or part of 2018, and live in Iowa now, and
• Your household benefits and income are less than $23,216 and,
• The rental unit you lived in is subject to property tax.

Married couples living together are considered one household and can file only one claim, combining both incomes. If they do not live together, they may file separate claims. Other persons living together who qualify for reimbursement may each file a claim based on their income and share of rent paid.

Seniors who would like assistance filing these forms are encouraged to schedule individual appointments by calling CASI, at 563-386-7477. Proof of residency, income, disability (if applicable) and monthly rent amount along with landlord contact information are required at the time of appointment.

Electronic copies of the form can be located on the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website, tax.iowa.gov. Iowa residents under the age of 50 looking for help may also contact Friendly House and Community Action of Eastern Iowa. Action for assistance.   

VITA Tax Preparation Begins February 1

In addition to rent reimbursement claim assistance, CASI is teaming up with the United Way of the Quad Cities and AARP to provide free 2018 tax preparation services for older adults who qualify. This service, known as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project, will prepare taxes for free for households earning $57,000 or less per year.

According to the United Way, VITA has saved Quad City area residents more than $1,000,000 in fees and generated an average return of $1,500 per household.  A reported total of $5.2 million was returned to people of the Quad Cities last year.

CASI is proud to be one of 15 VITA sites in the Quad Cities.  VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and will make sure those who are qualified for tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) receive them.

Tax appointments at CASI will begin on Monday, February 4 and go through Wednesday, April 10.  CASI is the only AARP Tax-Aide site in Scott County, meaning preparation services are specifically designed for individuals 50 years of age and older.

Tax preparers will be at CASI, Monday through Wednesday, from 1:00-3:00pm.  The VITA program will also take appointments at CASI for Friday, February 22 and Friday, March 1, from 1:00-4:00pm. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the United Way of the Quad Cities at 211 or 563.355.9900.  For more information on additional VITA sites in the Quad Cities, visit unitedwayqc.org.