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A Minority With Seniority

My grandmother was born in 1899.  She was a highly intelligent woman whose compassion and beauty attracted people to her.  In her long life, she authored nine books and many articles, published newspapers, served the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, furthered civic affairs, and befriended all with whom she cam in contact regardless of race or status.

She was a wonderful story-teller and could capture moments from the treasury of her life that entranced the grandson who sat awe-struck at her knee.  Her parents had migrated to Texas from Georgia in a covered wagon before she was born.  Later, when she was 18, she traveled east to meet her surviving forebears.  'Don't talk to strangers,' her father had cautioned as she boarded the train.

One of her stories from that trip concerned S.J.S. Abernathy, a great uncle and a survivor of the Battle of Gettysburg.  The night before the battle began, she recalled from his reminiscence, he was camped with two companions and together they shared their concerns with each other.  One of them felt that he would not survive the battle.  The second said he would be ok.  S.J.S. believed he would be shot in the heart.  The next day almost all unfolded as foretold.  The first soldier was slain.  The second one survived.  But S.J.S. lost an arm instead of his life because, before the Battle of Gettysburg got underway, he placed his Bible in his coat in such a way that it protected his heart.  During the battle he was surprised by a Yankee from a nearby bush who aimed his long rifle at him and fired.  The missile struck and then glanced off S.J.S.'s Bible, shattering his arm.

In her 80s, grandmother moved about slowly.  Her hair was snow white and her skin shriveled somewhat like a discarded apple.  Thanks to good planning and sterling accomplishments over many decades, her senior years were comfortable.  But anyone encountering her might avoid saying anything to my grandmother in order to quickly pass her by.  Such is often the way of younger people toward a minority with seniority.  And so they miss the gems that lay hid just below the surface of a dimming countenance.

The elderly have concerns that apply especially to them and that young people often take for granted or ignore:  health care, ageing, estate planning, and death.  Fortunately organizations have sprung up such as AARP or the Senior Citizens Bureau that offer benefits, discounts, counseling and the like.  Indeed AARP at their web site (www.aarp.org/taxaide) provide much helpful tax information for the elderly, addressing such issues as who must file, forms to use, taxable versus non-taxable income, exemptions, filing status, securities sales, business income, sale of home, IRA distributions, pensions, taxable social security, itemized versus standard deduction, dependent care credit, credit for the elderly, and the earned income credit.

The Internal Revenue Service applies special rules to senior citizens.  In 2005 filing season persons over the age of 65 would not have to file a tax return if his or her gross income is less than $9,150 (single) or $17,800 (married filing jointly).  Senior citizens are entitled to a more generous Standard Deduction: $6,050 for Singles and $10,650 for Married joint filers in 2004.  Seniors may qualify to receive tax credits for the elderly, to pay no tax on Social Security benefits, or to deduct some monthly fees paid to a life care facility.  Those who find themselves providing more than half the support for a grandchild may also be entitled to a tax credit.