HEALTH & WELLNESS

Health,Wellness&FitnessGuide THE SAVVY SENIOR:How Much Do You Have to Make to File Taxes?

Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My income dropped BY JIMMILLER way down when I retired in 2022, so Iʼm wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year. —Recently Retired

Dear Recently,

Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year, as well as the source of the income, your age and filing status.

Hereʼs a rundown of this tax seasonʼs IRS tax filing requirement thresholds.

For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2022 gross income — which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately — was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you may not have to file. But if itʼs over, you will. • Single: $12,950 ($14,700 if youʼre 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2022). Married filing jointly: $25,900 ($27,300 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $28,700 if youʼre both over 65). • Married filing separately: $5 at any age. • Head of household: $19,400 ($21,150 if 65 or older). • Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $25,900 ($27,300 if 65 or older).

To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “1040 and 1040-SR Instructions for Tax Year 2022,” or you can see it online at IRS.gov/pub/irspdf/i1040gi.pdf.

Check Here Too

Be aware that there are other financial situations that can require you to file a tax return, even if your gross income falls below the IRS filing requirements.

For example, if you earned more than $400 from self-employment in 2022, owe any special taxes like an alternative minimum tax, or get premium tax credits because you, your spouse or a dependent is enrolled in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, youʼll need to file.

Youʼll also need to file if youʼre receiving Social Security benefits, and one-half of your benefits plus your other gross income and any tax-exempt interest exceeds $25,000, or $32,000 if youʼre married and filing jointly.

To figure all this out, the IRS offers an online tax tool that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if youʼre required to file, or if you should file because youʼre due a refund. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040.

Check Your State

Even if youʼre not required to file a federal tax return this year, donʼt assume that youʼre also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that youʼre entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/statetax-agencies.

Tax Preparation Help

If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can free file through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile if your 2022 adjusted gross income was below $73,000.

Or, if you need some help, contact the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and lowincome taxpayers, age 60 and older.

Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate services near you.

You can also get tax preparation assistance through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service. Call 888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp for more information. You donʼt have to be an AARP member to use this service.

Club News?

Let us help promote your club or organization. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to: Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675

Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior,P.O.Box 5443,Norman, OK 73070,or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior”book.

WESTWOOD

St. Andrew’s 50+Club meets Feb. 1

St. Andrewʼs 50+ Club invites you to join for a presentation on elder law and estate planning at its next meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. in the gym. Dues for the new year — $13 — will be collected. New members are always welcome. Cake and coffee will be served. Please bring an item/donation for the food pantry. For more information call Elaine at (201) 664-7037.

Health,Wellness&FitnessGuide

ADVERTISERCONTENT DR. KAPLAN: Try something new for a healthier you

Switch it up. The brain does not like it if you are always doing the same thing. Top researchers and neuroscientists have found that one of the top three ways to improve memory is to perform novel or new activities. Many people are at home, sitting and working on the computer, sitting on the couch watching Netflix, sitting while playing video games, sitting while playing on social media, sitting while watching the news, sitting while browsing the internet, and and sitting while scrolling through their iPads. They are rarely learning new things.

If you want to improve your memory and focus, and prevent dementia and Alzheimerʼs disease, you must start doing new things, change up the things you already are doing, and do stuff that your brain is not used to doing.

Challenge your brain in different ways every day. On Monday, do a word jumble, on Tuesday do a maze, on Wednesday do a crossword puzzle, on Thursday play Sudoku, on Friday play board games, on Saturday play cards, and on Sunday complete a jigsaw puzzle. Every week try at least one new game that you have never played before because it will require using different areas of the brain.

Take care of our brains and learn new activities to ensure proper activation and create the most synaptic connections to function at the highest level. Your brain will undergo a process called neuroplasticity and that will help prevent dementia, stroke, Alzheimerʼs disease, Parkinsonʼs disease, ADD, autism, headaches, dizziness, concussion and even Covid-19 long haulerʼs syndrome. Unfortunately, many of the long haulers have neurological symptoms such as brain fog, confusion, memory loss, loss of smell, headaches, trouble focusing, and changes in behavior.

Lng haulers have been getting a lot of improvement, in addition to more energy, better sleep, better digestion, better memory, and better skin after using the hyperbaric oxygen chamber (HBOT) in our Emerson office.

The HBOT is a machine that fills up with oxygen and basically increases the oxygen flow into the cells by changing the pressure inside the machine. Professional athletes have been using this therapy for years, and many hospitals have started incorporating the HBOT therapy as it is so successful with helping people.

One of the best ways to prevent dementia is to exercise. People with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease can change their health and their outcomes with improving their exercise routine. Physical exercise is necessary for the brain and body, but also make sure you “switch it up.”

It would be great to jog 1 mile one day, run a half a mile one day, sprint a hundred yard dash one day, take a long walk one day, power walk one day, hike one day, bike one day, swim one day, row a boat one day, and rollerblade one day. It is also good to keep changing up the routine with weights, bands, or balls.

You can even go out and use rocks, large sticks and branches as substitutes for most weights. Being creative with your workouts is also good for the brain. Think about taking different dance lessons where you can physically and mentally get challenged at the same time.

If I were to invest in an exercise machine it would be the rowing machine because it is the best workout that uses the most important muscle groups while causing the least strain on the joints.

If you donʼt want to get a machine or go the gym, there are plenty of online classes: Crossfit, cycling, karate, pilates, HIIT, Yoga, tai chi, Zumba, hip-hop dance, boot camps, as well as home programs like P90X and Insanity.

Learn a language, skill, or art form. Learn to play an instrument, or how to sew or knit. Start painting, drawing, sculpting or even origami. Read different genres and go outside your comfort zone. Keep looking for novelty. There are so many novel activities that you can perform on a daily basis. You can start by taking a different route to work.

Novelty can be applied to food, as well. Eat each color of the rainbow every day and donʼt have a weekly menu. Luckily, with the great variety of foods available to us, this task is very easy.

Change up every activity you do and to keep learning new things. Start brushing your teeth or your hair with your non-dominant hand. Walk sideways or wear only one shoe. Visit places you have never been and perform activities you have never done. Read a book upside down.

Remember peopleʼs phone numbers and the next time you see them, they will be very impressed. Try spelling backwards, writing backwards, and even walking backwards.

These simple changes will help you improve your memory, increase your brain function, improve your quality of life, and will help you to function better, feel better, and live better.

Amazing offers! Act fast!

If you are interested in more details and ways to improve your memory and focus, please sign up for my Boost Your Brain Power Seminar Series. The first module, Memory and Focus, is Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m at 770 Kinderkamack Road in River Edge.

There are seven modules, covering depression and anxiety, sleep and energy, reducing inflammation, mastering nutrition, and performing brain exercises.

Each module is normally $100, but if you sign up before Wednesday you can get all seven for $49 (only $7 a module).

If you cannot come in person,

you can take the seminar series over Zoom, as well. If you cannot make it live or over Zoom, we can send you the recordings as well. However, if you come in person, you will get a free massage, a free cold laser therapy, free food and drinks, one of my books for free, and many other DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY giveaways. If you come to all seven modules, it is a total value of over $1,000, but if you are one the first seven people to sign up, you get the entire package for only $49. Call or text (646) 221-6738 or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com to reserve your spot. My book is “Boost Your Brain Power: A Guide to Improving Your Memory & Focus.” The book can also be ordered on Amazon if you cannot make it to the seminar. Also, please listen to my two radio shows, every Saturday on 970 AM at 8 a.m. and every Saturday on 710 AM at 2 p.m.

WESTWOOD

SENIOR FELLOWSHIP MEETS FEB. 14

The Westwood Senior Fellowship club meets Feb. 14. Join in for tea, coffee, and cake. Dr. Jett Gurman, a chiropractor, is guest speaker. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. New memers are welcome. Annual membership dues of $5 are due.

Westwood Community Center is at 55 Jefferson Ave.

PASCACK VALLEY

Ask the Dentist: Teeth In a Day — Is This True?

One of the most common questions I get from patients lately involves their curiosity and skepticism of claims they hear about same-day implant teeth. They want to know if the claims or advertisements are true.

The answer is a little complicated, but let me explain. First, not all patients are candidates for this type of procedure and second- there is preparatory work involving diagnosis, health history, 3-D scanning and laboratory prep to make the actual teeth, which will be fitted must be completed prior to the actual day of implant surgery and tooth placement.

In the cases where the procedure can be performed, the patient will leave with a set of

temporary teeth and instructed to stay on a soft diet for a period of several months. Final permanent “teeth” can be fabricated after approximately six months when the implants (anchors) have achieved complete stability. In a nutshell, the answer is yes, this ROBERT H. GULLER, D.M.D OF PASCACK DENTAL ARTS procedure is real and can work out very successfully, but is not quite as simple as some patients imagine it to be. Advanced cases of this type often involve a team approach with the dentist, surgeon and laboratory technician or crosstrained dentist/specialist and laboratory. If you are wondering whether you are a candidate for this type of treatment for one or all of your teeth discuss your options with your dentist or specialist. For questions about this and other dental procedures contact Dr. Guller at askdrguller@aol.com or call (201) 391-5565.

DAYOFSERVICE

Photo via Kathy Grubb

Members of the Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club meet with Claire Hill, Palisades district vice president,New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs. Pictured:Hilda Woodson,Claire Hill,and Geralyn Cargulia.

PARKRIDGE

The Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club met recently to outline plans for the winter months.

A highlight of the Club’s activities is participation in the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs annual Day of Service on Jan. 16. Held this year at the Westwood Woman’s Club Clubhouse, the day will bring together representatives of clubs in the Federation’s Palisades District to assemble meal kits to be distributed by the Food Bank of New Jersey.

Other Club projects include an upcoming CPR class and Military Bridge fundraiser. The Club continues to collect used smartphones and tablets for recycling at their collection boxes at the Park Ridge and River Vale libraries.

The Greater Pascack Valley Woman’s Club meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Park Ridge Community Center on Park Avenue. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13. For more information call Carolyn Delafrange at (201) 819-1000 or email GPVWC1990@gmail.com.

— Submitted by Kathy Grubb

RIVER VALE

Young Ravens swoop to strong start

The third-grade girls Ravens team opened their 2022-2023 season with a 3-0 record. The team opened the season with a 22-16 road victory over Harrington Park.

Mackenzie Burke and Ariel Chavez showed no rust as they lit up the scoreboard in front of a dedicated road crowd.

Bella de la Rosa, and Brooke DeSantis were scrappy under the boards and boosted the team by contributing a bucket each. Molly Cooper forced several key turnovers.

This Raven team followed up their opening game win with a nail-biting last shot 1312 win at Old Tappan.

Audrey Guthrie added a bucket and hustle in a tough battle. Velma Pellegrino hit an early outside jumper and seemed to find the loose balls, while Ruhi Modiʼs key late rebound helped seal the game.

In the third game of the season, Michela Sanelli was responsible for getting her teammates open with some stiff picks and screens.

Sofia Jilleba added a basket along with plenty of grit on the glass, while Juliet Megdal contributed on the boards in addition to hitting a tough inside layup.

Press-time update, Jan.

18: Your Ravens are a half-game out of second place with a third of the season under way after starting the season 3-0 and making a run to the semi-finals in a Bergen County Christmas Tournament.

The Ravens have been charged by a handful of contributors and earning the wins “in a schoolyard manner,” weʼre told.

Cooper, de la Rosa, and Pellegrino have been hitting the boards and hardwood and taking care of the dirty work while Chavez and Burke post fireworks.

Brooke DeSantis and Audrey Guthrie can also shoot from outside the key. Michela Sanelli, Megdal, and Jilleba help lead the tough defense while Modi seems to always come up with a loose ball.

Give to ‘Soup’r Bowl’ on Feb. 12

NJSFWC/GFWC The Womanʼs Club of Westwood is collecting soup on Soupʼr Bowl Sunday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nicholas Markets Fresh Grocer in Washington Township.

The soup will be distributed to the local food pantries. All donations of soup, packaged or canned, will be greatly appreciated by those in need.

The Womanʼs Club of Westwood is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Womenʼs Clubs, an international womenʼs organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service, with members in all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. For more information about the Federation and the Womanʼs Club of Westwood, call (201) 916-1580.