Since 2014, LIFE Senior Services has been offering free tax help for seniors in Tulsa.
On Monday, as the program kicked off again, Ronald and Kwiran Lee Trippe made their annual visit to the Tulsa nonprofit’s offices. They’ve been going for more than a decade.
The Trippes are on a fixed Social Security income, meaning they don’t make a lot. So, they’re glad the program is free.
“I love it, we’ve made way under what’s required here,” Ronald Trippe said. “And we get the magazine every month from here. It tells us what’s going on and what to do … what’s good for senior citizens.”
The service is open to people 60 years and older making a combined income of $69,000 or less. It’s also available to caregivers who have proof of a financial power of attorney.
Kathy Jones, LIFE’s Medicare and tax assistance program manager, said they bring in around 30 volunteers to help.
“All of our volunteers that prepare taxes are IRS-qualified, and they do the testing and all of that,” Jones said.
For the Trippes, who don’t own a computer, it also provides an added layer of protection from scams. Jones says that’s not surprising to hear, given how much tax return fraud occurs.
“As we age, you know, we’re more prone to say: ‘Oh yeah, you know, well, my Social Security number is …” Jones said. “Or, maybe they intercept a piece of mail.”
Besides scams, she said older folks may not submit their taxes because they think their income is too low. But there are some incentives — Jones mentioned a $40 sales tax rebate low-income individuals can get just for filing.
“While that doesn’t sound like a lot to a whole lot of people, that is a lot of money,” she said.
Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, seniors aged 65 and older can get $6,000 deducted if they make less than $75,000 per year, in addition to other deductions, according to Jones.
To schedule an appointment, you can call LIFE Services at (918) 664-9000 during office hours. They’re available at 5950 East 31st St. Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Roma Berry campus Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their last day is April 14.
Jones says over the past two years, they’ve helped more than 3,600 seniors. But if you don’t qualify for their program, she said to check out Goodwill’s free tax filing program, which includes people under 60 and with a disability, and AARP.
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