I know this is a little late. My mother told me last month that the lady that normally does their taxes every year, said that at their age, they don't need to worry about filing taxes. It isn't a neccessity.

My parents are only 57 & 54. The problem with this is that they still owe back taxes. I mean in the last few years, they have actually been getting money back. (except since they still owe back taxes, all money they get back is automatically applied to the back taxes.)

But if you owed back taxes, would it not be mandatory to file your taxes? My mom said they reminded the lady that they still owed back taxes and she said it would still be OK.

My mom is afraid they'll be audited sometime down the road if they don't file their taxes.


I told my mom to call H&R Block and ask then if this is true. She didn't want to do it because she said she would feel stupid asking this question. And she said my dad won't do it because a.) he believes the tax lady (this is her home business) b.) he is cheap and not filing taxes means money saved & c.) he's lazy.

So, I came here for an answer.

I think this all sounds fishy. Can you really stop filing taxes when you reach a certain age, whether you owe back taxes or not? Is it legal?

Thanks

They should ABSOLUTELY keep filing claims each year! If they recieve an income at all (retirement, etc) they need to file.

I believe that if their total income is less than their combined exemptions and deductions they do not need to file a return. If they haven't had any withholding and, therefore, have no refund due them there's no reason to file. I would call and talk to someone at the IRS to make sure they meet the guidelines. It's not a question of age, except that standard deduction and exemptions are age related.

Good advice. Consider that since they still owe back taxes, if they have a refund coming for 2006, it likely will not be applied to their back taxes unless they file.

Why don't you have a look at their last two years' returns, they're dead simple for people with only pensions income, and follow the pattern, and prepare their 2006 return for them? Call your IRS help line as you need to.

Not only will you be doing them a good deed, but you'll add preparing an income tax return to your skills tool-kit. This will save you lots of money over the years.

I've prepared taxes for people and for businesses, and it's pretty simple. It's all set out, line by line, and it takes mostly patience to do.

And no one is as motivated to do a good job as the person concerned -- or a caring relative.