Supporting Seniors
- Addressing your Priorities
- Image
As your congressman, understanding your priorities help me to better represent you in Washington. Whether it's protecting essential benefits, protecting our communities, or addressing the cost of living, hearing from you helps me to represent you in Washington.
What are your top priorities: Please take a moment to fill out the form below
- Protecting Medicare and Social Security
- Image
Seniors have earned their Social Security and Medicare benefits through decades of hard work. That's why I'm committed to protecting your benefits and ensuring that you get assistance when you need it. If you have an issue with your benefits or need help navigating a federal agency, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. Contact information can be found here:
- Providing the Services you Need
- Image
Navigating government agencies and programs can be difficult, and seniors in our community rely on essential benefits and services. That's why it's critical that your questions are answered and that any issues are resolved in a timely manner. Our team, located in four district offices located throughout the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, is available to help you understand your benefits and navigate agencies. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
Our office also works to provide additional services, including educational webinars, document shredding events, information on local services and events, and more. If you'd like to stay up to date with our work, please take a moment to subscribe to our newsletter.
- Claiming your 2025 Tax Relief
- Image
This year, Congress passed legislation that delivers tax relief to seniors both in and out of the workforce. Many of these new provisions are retroactive, meaning that you can claim them when you file your taxes next year. Read on to see some of the new tax benefits that you may be able to claim.
Bonus Deduction for Seniors
Prior to the passage of the Working Families Tax Package, seniors were able to claim a $15,000 standard deduction ($30,000 for couples filing jointly) as well as an additional $2,000 deduction for seniors ($3,200 for couples filing jointly). The recent tax bill now adds a third deduction of $6,000 reserved for people over the age of 65. This deduction is active for the 2025-2028 tax years and is available to any seniors making under $75,000 ($150,000 for couples filing jointly). Seniors making more than the threshold can receive a portion of the new credit, which gradually phases out at a rate of $.06 per dollar between incomes of $75,000 and $175,000 ($150,000 to $250,000 for couples filing jointly).
It is estimated that this new deduction will effectively eliminate taxes on Social Security for 88% of seniors. Learn more about this deduction by visiting the IRS webpage HERE.
Enhanced Standard Deduction
In addition to the new bonus deduction, seniors will also benefit from an enhanced standard deduction. Starting in the 2025 tax years, taxpayers will see a $750 increase to the standard deduction ($1,500 for couples filing jointly), bringing the total standard deduction to $15,750 ($31,500 for couples filing jointly). In total, seniors taking the standard deduction in the 2025 tax year will be able to deduct an additional $6,750 versus last year's taxes.
American-Made Vehicle Interest Deduction
Have you purchased or are you planning to purchase a car since the start of 2025? The Working Families Tax Package includes a new deduction for interest paid on American-made cars. This deduction applies to any vehicle financed after Dec. 31st of 2024 that was assembled in the United States. The deduction is available to any qualified taxpayer making under $100,000 ($200,000 for couples), and gradually phases out beyond those thresholds. It is estimated that this deduction will save the average beneficiary about $400 a year.
To learn more about this deduction and to see if you qualify, visit the IRS webpage HERE.
Itemizing
All of the above deductions are available whether or not you itemize. Taxpayers claiming the standard deduction will be able to claim the bonus deduction for seniors, the enhanced standard deduction, and the car interest deduction.
Larger SALT Deduction
Prior to the passage of the Working Families Tax Package, taxpayers who itemized were permitted to deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes when paying their federal income tax. In Pennsylvania, where property taxes can be especially high, this sometimes failed to encompass a senior's full state and local income tax burden. The new tax law increases the SALT deduction to $40,000, meaning that Pennsylvania taxpayers can now deduct an additional $30,000 of state and local taxes.
What does that mean in practice?
In order to claim this deduction, taxpayers must itemize (you do not claim the standard deduction). While generally not the best option for most taxpayers, taxpayers in unique circumstances may benefit from this enhanced SALT deduction if their total state and local tax burden exceeds what they would receive from the standard deduction. To learn more about this deduction and see if it's right for you, visit the IRS webpage HERE (note that this webpage has not yet been updated to reflect the increase of the SALT cap to $40,000).
- Staying Ahead of Scammers
- Image
Stopping Scammers
With the aid of modern technology, scammers have never had more ways to separate you from your money. As your congressman, I'm committed to ensuring that you have the up-to-date information you need to stay safe from scammers. Below, please find important resources on staying safe from scams and sign up for our Scam Stoppers newsletter, with important information about prevalent scams.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
What are some common types of scams?
How can I spot identity theft?
What are some classic warning signs of possible fraud and scams?
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Inside the FBI Podcast: Fighting Fraud
USA.GOV