Savvy Senior 2018

The

Savvy

SENIOR w Boomer Bash and Savvy Senior Expo w Woman's best friend w Phone scams to look out for w What to know about tax changes

A Publication of The Daily Star, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018

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Speaker Agenda 2018 Boomer Bash and Savvy Senior Expo 11am-12pm........ YMCA

“Chair Yoga w/Kelly” 12pm-12:30pm. . .. Alzheimer’s Association

12:30pm-1pm..... YMCA

“Stress & Relaxation/Meditation w/Kelly” 1pm-1:30pm....... YMCA

“Walk with East Intro Meeting w/Kelly & Kimi” 1:30pm-2pm....... Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care

“5 Wishes” 2pm-3pm........... Otsego County Office of the Aging

“Medicare 101”

Chair yoga is a gentle beginner’s class in which the chair is used for support through all poses, either standing next to the chair or sitting in it. Emphasis is on exploring range of motion; breathing exercises; and developing greater flexibility.

No mat needed, just comfortable, stretch clothing. An excellent class for those with injuries, stiffness, or decreased mobility due to surgery, this class can be done in a wheelchair or seated for the entire class.

3pm-3:45pm....... YMCA

“Silver Sneakers Sampling (Classic & Boom - 20 mins. each) w/Avalon” *Times are approximated

Otsego County

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OFFICE for the AGING 607-547-4232 855-547-4390

Our Care, Your Home.

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FREE EVENT! Boomer Bash and Savvy Senior

Be a part of this incredible lifestyle event for Baby Boomers, Seniors, Caregivers, Friends and Family!

EXPO

Wednesday, Sept. 12 Southside Mall, Oneonta 11AM-4PM

Can face workouts reduce signs of aging?

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hen it comes to better-looking skin, some women opt for invasive surgery or Botox, but new research finds that doing simple facial exercises can help banish lines and wrinkles and lead to younger-looking skin.

A recent study from Northwestern University suggests that doing facial exercises for five months can make skin look three years younger.

“Now there is some evidence that facial exercises may improve facial appearance and reduce some visible signs of aging,” said lead author Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair and professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine dermatologist. “The

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exercises enlarge and strengthen the facial muscles, so the face becomes firmer and more toned and shaped like a younger face.”

In the study, women ages 40 to 65 were taught a 30-minute set of 32 facial exercises, which they practiced daily for a total of 20 weeks.

The exercises were developed and taught by facial exercise instructor Gary Sikorski of Happy Face Yoga, a co-author on the study.

Some of the exercises included the Cheek Lifter: Open mouth and form an O, position upper lip over teeth, smile to lift cheek muscles up, put fingers lightly on top part of cheek, release cheek muscles to lower them and lift back up. Repeat by lowering and lifting the cheeks.

Another exercise is Happy Cheeks Sculpting: Smile without showing teeth, purse lips together, smile forcing cheek muscles up, place fingers on corners of the mouth and slide them up to the top of the cheeks, hold for 20 seconds.

While the findings need to be confirmed in a larger study, “individuals now have a lowcost, non-toxic way for looking younger or to augment other cosmetic or anti-aging treatments they may be seeking,” Alam said.

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By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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n addition to being a huge financial decision, retirement is not only a question of when but where. Careful consideration and weighing all the factors are imperative to avoid a costly mistake.

About 10,000 baby boomers approach retirement age every day, according to AARP, and their considerations often include weather, cost-of-living, healthcare services, transportation, cultural activities and outdoor recreation. To avoid making a mistake during this dramatic lifestyle change, consider these tips to find a retirement-friendly place to put down new roots.

Get to know the area Mistaking a great vacation for a new home location is common when retirees are choosing a place to settle, said Kirk Kinder, founder and president of Picket Fence Financial, with offices in Palm Harbor, Florida, and Bel Air, Maryland.

“People often take a trip or two to an area, then decide to move there. Short vacations or visits don’t really give you a true understanding of the region. I recommend spending a couple

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Mistakes people make

when choosing where to retire months as a renter to really get the feel for the area,” Kinder said.

Additionally, qualitative factors should outweigh quantitative.

“Does the area treat retirees well? Is there an opportunity to find friends or pursuits that fit your interests? Are the healthcare services strong?” Kinder said.

Consider your taxes Cost of living, income tax rates and estate complications are the top factors retirees should consider, said Diane Pearson, wealth advisor at Legend

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“People often take a trip or two to an area, then decide to move there.

Short vacations or visits don’t really give you a true understanding of the region.

I recommend spending a couple months as a renter to really get the feel for the area.”

K i r k K i n d e r, P i c ke t Fe n c e Fi n a n c i a l

Financial Advisors, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“Many retirees do not take into consideration the income tax and estate (inheritance) tax that can affect them long-term,” Pearson said. Retirees who are considering moving to a new state need to understand the possible income and inheritance tax complications. For example, Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax that many states do not, but other states may have a more expensive probate process, Pearson said.

The new tax overhaul also makes certain

states more complicated for retirees.

“It is not that clear now, especially with the GOP tax bill, which punishes certain states that have traditionally been attractive to retirees. California, for example, may now be too expensive for many people — not just the elderly — because of the SALT (state and local tax) provision,” said Aimee Drolet Rossi, professor in the Anderson School of Management at the University of California-Los Angeles. Unlike other states, California provides additional health care coverage for poorer residents who already enjoy lower tax rates in California, compared to wealthier residents, Rossi said.

Remember friends and family “Beyond the obvious financial issues such as not doing enough research on the cost of living in a new place, I think the most common mistake is going someplace too far from family and friends. This probably depends on whether this is an interim step or a final stop along the way,” said Patricia Currey, founder and chief executive officer of Currey Financial Consulting in Edgewater, Maryland.

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By Melissa Erickson

be a better motivator than any personal trainer,” Nelson said.

Greyhounds range from 50 to 80 pounds “yet they are known as little big dogs, because they are extremely happy in small spaces,” said Lisa Sallie, president and founder of the non-profit Grateful Greyhounds (gratefulgreyhounds.org). “Retired racing greyhounds generally come off the tracks around age 2.5, and live to be about 13; so, you do not have the puppy years or habits to endure, but generally a decade with a lovely dog.”

Other high-energy breeds include Golden Retrievers, Labradors, shepherds or terriers, Marrs said.

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ogs aren’t just man’s best friend — they’re woman’s best friend, too. While dogs provide companionship and love, security and an exercise partner, the best pet will also match your lifestyle, finances, energy and activity levels.

What dog is right for a woman living alone?

“Don’t just go with the cutest pup you find. I’ve seen many Australian shepherds end up at shelters or with behavior issues because owners choose them for their great looks without considering the breed’s high energy needs and at times frustrating herding instinct,” said Meg Marrs, senior editor at K9 of Mine (k9ofmine.com).

“Overall there are a lot of things to think about when choosing a new pet, but current lifestyle should be among the top considerations,” said veterinarian Aaron Vine, vice president of Central Veterinary Associates in New York. “If a person is fit and active, choosing an active breed of dog would be best. If a person has medical concerns, such as arthritis, or has difficulty getting around, a smaller-breed dog should be chosen. A woman who is older and not in the best of shape should only choose a smaller-breed dog. The larger-breed dogs such as Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and others can require a lot of strength just to take them for a walk, but they do also make great jogging partners.”

Protection/security “There’s a reason that so many German shepherds are used as police dogs,” said Benjamin Nelson, co-editor of the Super Whiskers blog (superwhiskers.com). These imposing and strong dogs have a physical presence that will help you feel safe at home and out on your

Small dog, big investment

Woman’s

best friend Dog temperaments to consider for women living on their own own, plus they’re intelligent and easy to train, Nelson said.

“While almost any dog may help deter a burglar, breeds like Rottweilers and Dobermans look intimidating, and no one will think twice about messing with you if you have one of these dogs at your side,” Marrs said. “Despite their reputation, most owners will attest to how sweet and gentle these dogs really are. They actually make great family dogs.”

Small space The most famous characteristic of the English bulldog makes these dogs perfect if you live in

a small space: They’re lazy.

“Short walks will keep them happy, and for the rest of the time they will just be happy with you on the couch. … They don’t get particularly big either, and combined with a very funny personality, they will be the perfect dog for a small space,” Nelson said.

Other low-maintenance dogs with minimal exercise requirements and few grooming needs include pugs, Chihuahuas, Boston terriers and Malteses, Marrs said.

Get a fit friend If you are looking for an exercise partner, a retired greyhound “will

“I think the easiest breeds for older women are the smaller breeds who do not need the level of activity that larger dogs do, like Yorkies, Morkies, Maltese,” said Lynette Whiteman, executive director, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey.

A small poodle “is a perfect match for more sedentary women who are after companionship, and a hypoallergenic breed,” said Lazhar Ichir, founder of BreedingBusiness.com, a resource for dog breeders.

For a less-mobile woman, a Shih Tzu is a great choice because they don’t need a huge amount of exercise and they’re very light shedders, Nelson said.

Crossbreeds Crossbreeds “make great pets and often have less inherited diseases,” said Marina Cholakova, spokeswoman for Cloud 9 Vets, which specializes in at-home end-of-life veterinary care. “Also, consider getting a rescue dog rather than buying a puppy. There are so many dogs in charities and rescue centers that just need a second chance of a happy home, and these centers will assist in finding the right dog to match your situation.”

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sugar Too much

Cutting back is hard, but healthful. How to start More Content Now

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oo much sugar isn’t just making us fat, it’s making us sick. Growing scientific evidence shows that eating too much added sugar is linked to serious health problems including developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic fatigue and liver disease.

As we age gaining weight is a serious issue, especially weight gained around the middle, said Laura Schmidt, a professor of health policy in the School of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco.

“Sugar belly is a health concern for both men and women,” Schmidt said, referring to an “apple” body shape, in which the waist measurement is larger than that of the hips. It can be caused by a metabolic syndrome due to an overconsumption of added sugar, Schmidt said.

Basically, too much added sugar overstresses the liver, which then fails to regulate it correctly.

Instead, the liver turns the excess sugar into fat, which is stored in the liver and released into the bloodstream.

“The issue is that as we age, once you hit your 50s and on, you start to see changes in your metabolism, especially in post-menopausal women but also in men, who are then more vulnerable to weight gain and obesity,” Schmidt said.

In addition to other chronic diseases, consuming too much sugar can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Schmidt said. It’s the second-leading cause of liver transplant in America, she said.

Just over 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Doctors often counsel people to lose weight, but Schmidt stresses that avoiding gaining additional weight is a good health decision, too.

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“You can’t think that weight gain is inevitable,” she said.

A recent nationwide survey from Label Insight, a leader for product transparency in the food industry, found that 67 percent of Americans will be prioritizing healthy or socially conscious food purchases in 2018. Their primary point of emphasis is cutting back on sugars, with nearly half of consumers (47 percent) planning to eat less sugar or buy more “no sugar added”-labeled products this year. Baby boomers and women are by far the most likely to simmer down the sweetness, with 53 percent of boomers planning to cut down on sugary foods compared to 40 percent of millennials.

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If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, here are some of Schmidt’s tips:

Start with one thing Cut out one simple thing like the 3 p.m. sugary soda.

“Don’t pile on too much at once. Do one simple thing. Do it well and make it a routine,” Schmidt said.

Make healthy replacements “Nature abhors a vacuum,” Schmidt said. If you

eat candy at your desk or while running errands, replace it with frozen grapes. “Change your habit,” Schmidt said.

Clean your environment “Get the crap out of your cupboards. Buy substitutes for the sugary foods that you enjoy,” Schmidt said. If you’re a soda drinker, make it yourself and gradually lower the syrup. Try soda water with lemon or a dash of fruit juice.

Watch your alcohol Cutting down on alcohol will reduce your sugar intake, especially if you’re mixing it with soda.

Schmidt gave this breakdown: • A 12-ounce soda equals 39 w grams of carbohydrates • A 12-ounce beer equals 13 grams of carbohydrates • A 5-ounce glass of wine equals 0 to 4 carbohydrates Scientists recommend women consume no more than six teaspoons, or 25 grams, of added sugar a day. For men, it’s nine teaspoons, or 38 grams.

Read labels

“Sugar is hiding in 74 percent of packaged foods, Be vigilant,” Schmidt said.

‘Springs hopping’

“Get the crap out of your cupboards.

Buy substitutes for the sugary foods that you enjoy.”

in Florida

Laura Schmidt

Look for the new label

Due to increasing concerns about the amount of sugar consumed by Americans, a redesigned nutrition facts panel will debut in July. The biggest change is a separate line that highlights the “added sugars” in a food, which is expressed as a percentage of the recommended daily value — the amount of sugar consumption nutritionists find reasonable for a person as part of a 2,000-calorie per day diet. The current label shows the total amount of sugar (both naturally occurring and added) as one line.

By any other name ...

Sugar is a complex issue. Sometimes it’s natural, such as when it appears in fruits and vegetables, honey or maple syrup. Other times it’s “added to food during processing, either in a factory, in the kitchen or at the table,” Schmidt said.

There are 61 different names for sugar used in food processing that appear on ingredient lists, Schmidt said. Some of the main ones: • Sometimes referred to as blood sugar, glucose is the sugar measured when a person has a blood test. It is chemically identical to (and also known as) dextrose.

• Fructose, or fruit sugar, is often joined with glucose to make sucrose, or common table sugar.

• High-fructose corn syrup undergoes processing to add sweetness and can contain as much as 90 percent fructose.

Sugars like fructose and glucose are main forms of carbohydrates, along with starches such as potatoes, grains, rice and bread. The body breaks down carbohydrates into the sugar glucose, to be used as energy.

The swim platform at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. [CR RAE]

By CR Rae More Content Now

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lorida is known for palm trees, sunshine, alligators and many attractions, but the state also hosts beautiful, natural scenery tucked away in its many springs.

The springs offer a variety of things to do including hiking, biking, camping, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The water is clear, and some springs offer great views of marine life. The parks are a photographer’s dream.

Florida springs are popular tourist attractions and have been dating back to 1860, when steamboats first began trips along the state’s rivers.

The travelers aboard would swim in the waters and have many opportunities to watch the turtles, otters, manatees and fish as they would pass by the boats.

Each spring is different in what it offers. Some are large areas of water, some much smaller. One in particular offers a history lesson, and maybe even a little rejuvenation of the mind, body and spirit.

• Chase your youth at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. It was named for the Spanish explorer who led the 1513 expedition to find the fountain of youth. Visitors can take a dip in the springs where the water is a constant 68 degrees; 14 million gallons flow through the spring each day. Activities include fishing, birding, geo-seeking, hiking, swimming,

The springs offer a variety of things to do including hiking, biking, camping, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The water is clear, and some springs offer great views of marine life. The parks are a photographer’s dream.

snorkeling and wildlife viewing.

Visit floridastateparks.org/park/ ponce-de-leon-springs for hours and fees.

• Gemini Springs Park is in DeBary and features two springs. It has 210 acres of wooded land with 6.5 million gallons of water flowing each day. The scenic park offers visitors a three-quarter-mile walking trail, a 1-mile bike trail, fishing, picnic and camping areas and much more. The park is open daily sunrise to sunset, and admission is free, including for Fido: With a 4.5-acre dog park that includes a section just for smaller dogs, there is plenty of room to run and play. Visit bit.ly/2FSZqxg for hours and rules and regulations.

• Blue Spring State Park covers 2,600 acres and is the largest of the springs on the St. John’s River.

Located in Orange City, the spring

discharges 165 million gallons a day and the temperature is 73 degrees.

The water is clear and perfect for swimmers, divers and snorkelers.

Blue Spring is a great place to watch the manatees up close; the park a designated manatee refuge. The season for the manatees is mid-November through March. Seekers of the manatees can view several hundred from the overlooks at the park, especially on colder days. This park does fill to capacity often, so visit early in the day. Visit floridastateparks.org/ park/Blue-Spring for hours and park rules and information.

• Green Springs Park is an important part of Florida’s history. For the Mayaca and Seminoles this area was sacred ground. It was thought the spring’s sulfur water was healing.

As the park’s history goes, a hotel was built on what was once a huge shell mound, and it was considered to be one of the first health spas. It was quite an attraction in the mid 1800s. The springs became part of an estate owned by Frederick DeBary, a baron of steamboats. The almost fluorescent-green springs are a sight to see. Green Springs is in Deltona and offers a nature trail and scenic overlooks. It is part of the Springto-Spring Trail, which begins at the park and continues on for more than five miles. Visit bit.ly/2Env3SB. Going “springs hopping” in Florida can be a wonderful adventure. For a map visit floridasprings.org/visit/ map/.

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‘downsizing’

Many factors go into the right forever home for you

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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fter the kids move out on their own, many adults consider downsizing to a new home, possibly moving to the city or to a beach town away from it all. Why downsize, though, when the better option is to rightsize?

Rightsizing is different from downsizing, which seems inherently negative and focuses on space.

“It’s got a bad connotation, like you’ll be moving to a smaller apartment or condo. Giving up and giving in,” said Realtor Marie Presti, owner of The Presti Group in Newton, Massachusetts, and a certified educator who has taught dozens of classes on the subject. Instead of moving to a smaller home because you’re an empty-nester, “rightsizing is a process of looking at your current lifestyle and analyzing what’s right for you.

It doesn’t necessarily mean smaller,” she said.

“Downsizing is about cutting away. Rightsizing is about the big picture,” said rightsizing expert Lynn McPhelimy, author of “In The Checklist of Life.” “Consider it a restructuring focused on your quality of life. We all want quality of life; this is how we get there.”

w Visualize your right home

The factors that influence rightsizing include your health, finances and relationships, McPhelimy said. Other considerations include things like where you want to be in five or 10 years; whether you will continue working; and whether there is good public transportation and access to cultural activities, restaurants, hospitals and health clubs, Presti said.

Consider the home you’re living in, McPhelimy said: Are you using all the rooms wisely? Does mail collect on the dining room table, and are kids’ rooms now used as storage areas? “Where do you really live in your home?” she asked.

It’s possible you may want a bigger home for entertaining or to have guests or grandchildren visit, McPhelimy said. The same square footage may be ideal it it’s all on one level with no stairs, she added.

Additionally, think about lifestyle needs such as time and energy spent on yard maintenance.

“Do you really want to mow the lawn, use the snow blower and paint the house every 10 years?”

Presti said. “Are your friends still living nearby, or has the neighborhood changed and are you left isolated and lonely?” McPhelimy asked.

Financial considerations are paramount to living your dreams, McPhelimy said. Are

you asset-rich but cash-poor? Do you have too much house? Since you will eventually be living on a fixed income, think about what you want to be spending money on, Presti said. Do you want to spend money on house upkeep? How much are your property taxes?

w Get started early “It can be a very emotional, multi-year process to decide what your needs and dreams are and will be in the future. You can’t push people into making a decision. There are hurdles, especially the emotional connection to leaving the home you’ve raised your children in,” Presti said.

Because it may take some time, it’s never too early to get started.

“Do it before a crisis happens, while you’re happy and healthy,” McPhelimy said.

While you’ll need to “follow your heart and your bank account,” financial planners and real estate professionals can also help with the decision, McPhelimy said.

Once you’ve gotten close to a decision, do a test run. Rent a home through a site like Airbnb or VRBO during the off-season to see what winter is like in Seattle or summer in Phoenix really feels like, McPhelimy said.

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elephone scams are nothing new, but here’s one with a twist. The phone rings. You answer, a moment passes and someone asks, “Can you hear me?”

Reports say that scammers are recording your “yes” and using it to authorize payment for products or services. Both the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission are warning people to stay silent and never answer “yes” to any questions on the telephone to people you don’t know.

The variety of scams a person can fall prey to is tremendous, from lottery and sweepstakes scams, to requests for money from people claiming to be relatives, “phishing” and “smishing,” and on and on.

“The fastest-growing scam in America is imposter scams. This where the con man pretends to be someone or something he or she is not,” said Doug Shadel, AARP’s lead researcher on consumer fraud who also serves as the state director for AARP Washington.

“Examples include the fake IRS debt collector who calls and tells you that you owe the IRS money; the tech support scam, where a popup shows up on your computer and tells you that you’ve got a virus and must pay to remove it; or the grandparent scam, where a con man will call and pretend to be your grandchild who got arrested in a foreign country and needs $3,000 to get out of jail,” Shadel said.

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W Basic tips

Phone scams to look out for

is not aware of any cases where such a trick resulted in a fake bank or credit card verification.

“Still, it is good to be cautious when someone calls and to not give them any information or do business with people you do not know on the phone,” Shadel said.

W Keep your cool When a person is in a heightened emotional state, it is easier for him or her to be scammed.

“Every con artist we have ever interviewed said the key trick they use is to get the victim into a heightened emotional state: extremely excited to win a new car or the lottery or extremely fearful because

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you owe back taxes, or troubled because your computer has a virus or you are afraid for your grandchild,” Shadel said.

Pause and think it over before deciding to buy something over the phone.

“If you feel your heart starting to beat faster or you start sweating with excitement, tell the person that you never make a buying decision at the time of the sales pitch and offer to take their number and call them back. This gives you time to cool off and make a rational decision. And if that decision, upon reflection, is to never call them back — so be it,” Shadel said.

• Use Caller ID to screen calls, and consider not even answering unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message and you can call back.

• If you get a suspicious phone call, make a note of the number and report it to bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others. The Better Business Bureau also shares Scam Tracker information with government and law enforcement agencies, so every piece of information is helpful in tracking down scammers.

• Consider joining the Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov to cut down on telemarketing and sales calls. This may not help with scammers since they don’t bother to pay attention to the law, but you’ll get fewer calls overall. That may help you more quickly notice the ones that could be fraudulent.

• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. It’s also a good idea to check your telephone and cellphone bills. Scammers may be using the “yes” recording of your voice to authorize charges on your phone. This is called “cramming,” and it’s illegal.

What to know about

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he Tax Jobs and Cuts Act of 2017 won’t change anything when you file your taxes this April, but the tax code overhaul will make a difference filing next year. One of the biggest changes is that a higher standard deduction means fewer taxpayers will likely itemize deductions.

“The new tax plan has nearly doubled the standard deduction — from $6,350 to $12,000 for single taxpayers and from $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples,” said Joshua Zimmelman, president of Westwood Tax & Consulting in Rockville Centre, New York. “With the increase in standard deduction and the elimination of many deductions, it will make more sense for most taxpayers to take the standard deduction instead of itemizing.”

For itemizing to make sense, total itemized deductions need to be more than the new standard deduction. For many people, that means a simplification.

“Where one itemized in the past, the higher standard deduction might give them more of a deduction, so they may have an easier tax return and be fine on their own,” said Abby Eisenkraft, an enrolled agent and chief executive officer of Choice Tax Solutions in Shoreham, New York.

With the increase in deduction and even with personal exemptions phased out, “it’s still a really nice tax break,” Eisenkraft said. Plus, there is an additional amount for those who are blind or over 65 years of age: $1,600 if unmarried, and $2,600 if married

their employers adjust their withholding. Many will see less tax withheld under the new law,” Zimmelman said.

Additionally, the personal exemption and dependent exemptions are eliminated entirely under the new tax plan, Zimmelman said.

“The personal exemption goes from $4,050 to $0,” Eisenkraft said.

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TAXCHANGES New tax brackets In 2018, the tax rate for six of the seven tax brackets will be lowered, Zimmelman said. The lowest tax bracket will stay at 10 percent.

The rates will go from 15 percent, 25 percent, 28 percent, 33 percent, 35 percent and 39.6 percent to 12 percent, 22 percent, 24 percent, 32 percent, 35 percent and 37 percent.

Other changes

filing jointly, Eisenkraft said.

People who own small businesses will want to work with a tax pro, Eisenkraft said.

“Sole proprietors, LLC members and S-corp owners who aren’t considered ‘personal service’ can claim a 20 percent deduction of their

business income” if their income is under $157,500 for single taxpayers or $315,000 for married joint filers, Zimmelman said.

Withholdings may change “Many taxpayers can expect to see changes in their paycheck after

“Under the new plan, the threshold for deductible medical expenses drops from expenses over 10 percent of adjusted gross income to those over 7.5 percent.

The penalties for lack of health insurance coverage will be eliminated,” Zimmelman said.

The Child Tax Credit will double to $2,000 per child up to age 16, Zimmelman said. The credit phase-out is also raised from $110,000 to $400,000.

All current homeowners can still deduct mortgage interest on loans up to $1,000,000. However, the deductible amount drops to $750,000 for new-home purchases, Zimmelman said.

Alimony payments are no longer tax-deductible and received alimony is no longer considered taxable income, Zimmelman said.

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