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TBR Staff

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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

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Photo by Raymond Janis

Sugar kelp farming is a win-win 

Suffolk County has a unique opportunity to lead in sustainable aquaculture by adding seaweed farming to its existing lease program. Seaweed cultivation offers immense environmental and economic benefits, including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and the development of innovative industries such as sustainable plastics, animal feed, and biodegradable materials.

Non-profit organizations like Lazy Point Farms and its partners have demonstrated their commitment to supporting this industry through research, infrastructure development, and community education. The Town of Brookhaven is committed to collaborating with organizations like this to build sustainable practices, and we have a chance to help pioneer a robust model for providing critical resources to local growers. This initiative will not only create new economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs but also help New York catch up with neighboring states already thriving in seaweed production. 

The opportunity is clear: there have been numerous inquiries from businesses for our locally grown seaweed, but not nearly enough supply to meet that demand. Seaweed production is truly a win-win, because as it generates revenue, it also helps drive the development of sustainable products and helps improve water quality in our bays and harbors. 

Concerns about potential conflicts with boating and visual impact are addressed by the seasonal nature of kelp farming, which occurs outside peak boating months. Additionally, kelp farms enhance marine life and mitigate harmful algae blooms, benefiting all who rely on our waters.

By supporting this initiative, we can position Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven as leaders in sustainable aquaculture: creating jobs, protecting our waters, and strengthening our local economy. For more information, check out lazypointfarms.org or do some research on sugar kelp harvesting. It’s an effort worth supporting!

Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich 

(D-Stony Brook)

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. 

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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Michael Piersa. Photo courtesy Nolan Funeral Home

Michael Piersa, of East Northport, passed away on Feb. 27 at 61 years of age.

Piersa was the beloved son of Patricia and the late George M. Piersa, the loving brother of Theresa, Apel, Barbara Piersa and John Piersa and the dear uncle of Jonathan, James, Kaitlin, Ashley, Jacqueline and Mikayla. He was great uncle to Arriana and Emma.

Visiting to take place Tuesday, March 4, from 5-8 p.m. at Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Ave, Northport. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home Wednesday, March 5,  at 10 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. prayer service with Friar Valentine officiating. A burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael’s memory to People’s Arc of Suffolk would be greatly appreciated.

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It could be a text from a co-worker, addressing you by name and asking for a favor: Could you please go pick up a gift card for them? They will pay you back. It is urgent, the unknown sender will tell you, using the name of a trusted friend, boss or co-worker. 

Using information online, “smishing” scams, a play on the acronyn SMS and the word “phishing”, can exploit existing workplace relationships and take advantage of the anonymity afforded by technology to potentially scam you out of hundreds of dollars. 

Scammers targeting workplace relationships attempt to take advantage of a person’s sense of occupational duty and responsibility to coerce them into making decisions they otherwise would have been skeptical of. For instance, an employee here at TBR News Media recently got a suspicious text, ostensibly from a coworker who works remotely. The text was urgent — the coworker was in a meeting and couldn’t talk on the phone, but needed, for some reason, a gift card.

This type of request is odd, but under the right circumstances, it is tempting to ignore the alarm bells ringing in our head and to simply comply. It is natural to want to be helpful, especially in work-matters and the texts, hectic, confusing and vague, puts pressure on the receiver to assent. 

This type of smishing scam preys especially on new employees—they are unfamiliar with the customs of the company and more likely to excuse bizarre behavior, they may be hesitant to turn down their boss or coworker as they want to make a good impression, and they don’t yet have the contact information of their coworkers, so the impersonation may not be detected immediately. 

The older generation, less versed in technology, may have a harder time discerning what is a “normal” text and what is abnormal. Younger generations that grew up with technology are more adjusted to its customs and still fall prey to scammers. Older generations are at a disadvantage, making them especially vulnerable. 

Luckily, there are a series of measures we can take to safeguard both our personal information and our finances. 

•Do not click on any unknown links you receive from an unknown sender. The link could be corrupt.

•Do not respond. 

•Verify the identity of the sender by contacting them in an alternate way. 

•Delete the texts. 

•Trust our instincts. If something seems strange, we should hold off on responding. 

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The month of March has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in March 1925.

• A military committee in France concludes that Germany committed gross violations of the Treaty of Versailles on March 1. The committee, led by Marshal Ferdinand Foch, accuses Germany of violating provisions related to the disarmament of its military.

• Huff Daland Dusters Inc., is founded in Macon, Georgia, on March 2. The company, which began as a drop dusting firm formed to combat a boll weevil infestation of cotton crops, would be sold near the end of 1928, at which time it is renamed Delta Air Service.

• The United States Congress authorizes the Mount Rushmore Memorial Commission on March 3. The initial design for Mount Rushmore initially featured each president depicted from head to waist. But funding for the sculpture dried up in 1941, so only President George Washington’s sculpture features any details below chin level.

• The second inauguration of United States President Calvin Coolidge takes place on March 4. It is the first inauguration to be nationally broadcast on radio.

• Alan Rowe opens the chamber of the tomb of Hetepheres I on March 8 in Egypt. Rowe, who was serving as deputy director of the Harvard-Boston Expedition, is the first person in 4,500 years to open the chamber.

• The state of Bavaria in Germany bans Adolf Hitler from speaking in public for two years on March 9. The ban limits Hitler to speaking only in private, closed meetings.

• Greek football club Olympiacos F.C. is founded in Piraeus on March 10. Olympiacos is now the most successful club in Greek football history, with 47 league titles to its credit.

• Cuba and the United States sign the Hay-Quesada Treaty on March 13. The treaty recognizes that the Isla de Pinos, now known as the Isla de la Juventud, is the territory of Cuba.

• Walter Camp passes away in New York City on March 14 at the age of 65. Camp, a college football coach considered the “Father of American Football,” created the sport’s system of downs and the line of scrimmage.

• An estimated 5,000 people are killed when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes the Chinese province of Yunnan on March 16.

• Edvard Benes of Czechoslovakia proposes a “United States of Europe” on March 17. The proposal is an attempt to secure peace in Europe and includes a western bloc featuring nations including England and France, and an eastern bloc made up of countries including Poland and Austria.

• The Breakers, a luxury hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, burns down on March 18. The cause of the fire is later traced to the wife of Chicago mayor William Hale Thompson, who left an electric curling iron plugged in.

• On March 19, Martha Wise confesses to poisoning 17 members of her family. Wise was connected to the crimes by Medina County, Ohio, sheriff Fred Roshon, who had discovered a day earlier that she had recently purchased a sizable quantity of arsenic from a drug store.

• Clifton R. Wharton begins his diplomatic career on March 20. Wharton would become the first African American admitted to the United States Foreign Service and the first black U.S. envoy to Romania and the first black U.S. ambassador to Norway.

• The Butler Act takes effect in Tennessee on March 21. The act prohibits school teachers from denying the Biblical account of the origins of humanity and remains on the books until 1967.

• The Tokyo Broadcasting Station transmits the first radio broadcast in Japan on March 22. The first broadcast includes a recording of the Beethoven opera “Fidelio.”

• Scottish inventor John Logie Baird publicly demonstrates the transmission of moving silhouette pictures at a London department store on March 25. A contemporary report in Nature magazine characterizes Baird’s design as “television.”

• Fascists and Communists engage in a fistfight within the Italian Chamber of Deputies on March 26. The fisticuffs break out on the day Benito Mussolini returns to the Chamber for the first time in more than a month.

• The Philadelphia Daily News begins publication as a tabloid morning newspaper on March 31.

— Courtesy of MetroCreative Graphics

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Barbara Muttitt Thomas

Barbara Louise Muttitt Thomas, age 93, of Brentwood, NY, died on Feb. 10. The cause of death was heart failure.

Born March 22, 1931, in Port Jefferson, Thomas was the daughter of the late John S. Muttitt and Ruth Schmeelk Muttitt. She was married to Charles L. Thomas (deceased) with whom she had three children. They later divorced. She lived in the Setauket area most of her life and used the surroundings of the area as subjects of her paintings. Thomas developed quite a talent. Her artwork is prized by her family and friends. In 1984 she moved to Hartwell, GA, to be near her mother.  She was a secretary for the Department of Art at the University of Georgia, Athens. In 1992, she returned to Setauket to help care for her daughter’s two young boys.  She was a longtime member of Setauket United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and led Bible studies.

Thomas is survived by two sons, Glenn Thomas of Santa Clara, UT, and Mark Thomas of Heathsville, VA; sisters, Lillian Muttitt of Patchogue, and Shirley Kowalski of Hartwell, GA; and by grandsons Jared Thomas, Charlie Thomas, Peter Steinert and Kristopher Steinert.  She was preceded in death by daughter Sharon Thomas Steinert of Setauket and brother Dennis Muttitt of Hartwell, GA.

Thomas donated her body to the medical school at SUNY, Stony Brook. A memorial service will be held at Setauket United Methodist Church in May.

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Jean Prysock

Jean Prysock, who passed away on June 28, 2024 at the age of 97 in North Carolina, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy and The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook is a big part of that story. Prysock, who was married to jazz great Arthur Prysock, was never one to take a back seat and embodied the old adage that if “you want something done, give it to a busy person.”

Her life was full with volunteer work and helping others. In her later years she became a key spark in establishing The Jazz Loft (TJL). As a founding board member, Prysock worked with founder and president Tom Manuel, attending initial meetings with The Ward Melville Heritage Organization board and their President, Gloria Rocchio, as the idea of TJL became a reality.

Tom Manuel and Jean Prysock

“Jean tirelessly worked public relations for The Jazz Loft when we first opened in 2014,” Manuel said. “She donated her husband’s archives and that was a big addition to our collections. It opened the door for others that followed. She was an incredible mentor to me, and a real pioneer in so many shapes and forms, and more importantly, one of my dearest friends.”

Born and raised in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, Prysock graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School, receiving awards for her dedication to others and her athletic abilities. 

Prysock was married to Arthur for 49 years. The couple met at the Savoy nightclub, where Arthur was performing with the Buddy Johnson Band. 

“My dad thought my mom would be an easy pickup, but she wasn’t,” laughed daughter Jeanartta. But Prysock’s best friend Gloria was dating Arthur’s brother and that made for an introduction.

They were married on June 6, 1948.

They bought their first home in Jamaica, N.Y. Arthur and Prysock loved to entertain and their home was known for great parties, good food and the best BBQ around. Christmas Eve parties were Prysock’s specialty and people came from far and wide, which eventually required her to transform the party into a ticketed dinner-dance.

Following Arthur’s death in 1997, Prysock did not slow down, filling her days with a variety of volunteer opportunities and positions on advisory boards.

Prysock volunteered at the Veterans Hospital in St. Albans, Goldwater Hospital and Harlem Hospital. Prysock organized shows for the patients at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, featuring her talented husband. She was active in the PTA at P.S. 140 in Queens. She eventually received a position on the P.S. 140 Board of Education, and headed the Higher Horizons program.

In addition to her school and community work, the sport of bowling called. For 22 years Prysock volunteered at Cardinal Lanes, and had a league of young bowlers known as the Prysock Junior Bowlers. Bowling became a big part of her life. Through communication with Charlie Venable, a pro bowler, she got involved with the pro bowlers at Paramus Lanes, becoming a sponsor of the team The Prysock Five.  Jean was the first female recipient of an award for dedication to the world of bowling.

“You couldn’t tell my mom ‘no’ to anything,” remembers Jeanartta. “That just made her more determined. She would find a way.”

When a local Portuguese family suffered a house fire resulting in the death of several children, Jean organized a fundraising effort to raise money so that the family could relocate to a new home. 

Even though the community was divided by race, income and ethnicity, Jean brought everyone together and not only raised enough money for the family to buy a new home, but she also organized an interracial-interfaith group hoping to bring better understanding between all people. 

The National Conference of Christians and Jews presented her the Ambassador of Good Will award and she was also recognized by local professional business groups and was named to the Nassau County Advisory Board of Volunteers Services.

Prysock leaves behind two daughters, Jeanartta and Jeanine; grandchildren Jara, Arthur, and Jeanisha; and great grandchildren Kiya, Kaily, and Hibiki..

Prysock’s motto was “Respect yourself and others will do the same. And remember no one owes you anything. Learn to love, learn to be better and the world will become a better place to live. When you help someone else up the hill, you help yourself.

JEAN

Jean

Am I just dreaming 

Or is it so

You are an angel

A glow

If I should awaken would you be there? 

Queen of my castle

In the air

You’re my inspiration and to hold you near

When I need consolation

You count every fear

Then

Jean, you make my life seem

Just like a dream

Please say you will always be my Jean

 Please say you will always be my Jean

Please say you will always Be my Jean

Just my Jean

– By Arthur Prysock

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Rolone “Lonie” Polhemus passed away peacefully in Huntington, New York on Feb. 16. She is survived by her sons, Sidney, Bradford and Tyler; nieces Stacey, Heather, Wendy and Bonnie; nephew Lindsey; grandchildren Jessica and Kyle; and great grandchildren James and Judah. She is predeceased by her husband, Sidney Polhemus; parents William and Opal DeRolf; and sisters Marvis Fast and Ardyn Hontz.

Growing up in Floral Park, New York, Polhemus was both of her time and ahead of her time. She loved music of the 40’s and adored watching and playing sports, so much so that she studied physical education at Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania. Later on, by working in her father’s book and greeting card store, she gained the experience of working in a retail establishment and a love of learning – both of which would ultimately play major roles in her life.

Upon marrying Sid Polhemus, Polhemus moved to Centerport, New York and became, in her words, “Martha Stewart before there was a Martha Stewart” with various creative projects that once a year included some rather memorable Halloween costumes for her sons.

Some years later, the family moved to Dayville, Connecticut and Polhemus’ family began a new chapter in their lives. Polhemus quickly became well-known to her sons’ teachers for her commitment to their education and her refreshing, outspoken nature.

While Polhemus possessed an often spicy sense of humor, she was also a shrewd, determined businesswoman. With her husband Sid, Polhemus started The Bargain Sleuth, a surprisingly sophisticated local boutique store business in Northeastern Connecticut’s Quiet Corner in 1974. Polhemus was not only able to continue the business after her husband’s untimely death in 1979, but successfully expanded it to multiple locations.

After closing the business in 1997, Polhemus pushed the envelope of what it meant to be retired and continued her interest in art, history and ancient cultures with many courses at Quinebaug Valley Community College as part of the Learning in Retirement (LIR) program. Via Books on Tape, Lonie also was an avid reader and belonged to a book club where she kept up with the latest in fiction.

Although she struggled with vision at times in life, she maintained an astonishing eye for color, clothing and jewelry and her creativity and worldly outlook inspired many.

Polhemus was an original – forward-thinking, forever curious, resourceful, unconventional, a savvy bridge player, and generous to a fault – but she will always be especially remembered fondly for her quick, colorful, irreverent wit.

A celebration of Polhemus and her life will be held later this year in the Huntington, New York area.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Transitioning to solar power 

If we are to transition from our conventional fossil-fuel electrical power plants to units based on solar power, we must have at least a reasonable forecast of the number of solar panels that will be required, along with the land area that will be needed to locate them. At the present time, Suffolk County uses an average continuous power of approximately 1,233 MW. If we are to produce this power using solar panels, let us assume that each panel can provide 400 W of power, when bright sunshine is available.

If this sunshine were available continuously, the number of panels required would be approximately 3.1 million. However, at our best, this sunlight is available for only 8 hours of each 24-hour period, or 1/3 of the time. For this reason, we will require 3 times the number of panels, or 9.3 million, to provide the average power necessary. During each 8-hour active period, these panels will generate 3,720 MW, of which 1,240 MW will be used to power the grid, and the remaining 2,480 MW will be charging the battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities, which will power the grid during the next 16 hours, when sunlight is not present, and the solar panels are not active.

To estimate the area required for the installation of these panels, let us assume that the area of each panel is 10 square feet. Therefore, the required land area to support the 9.3 million panels will be 93 million square feet, or 3.3 square miles, which is slightly more than twice the area of the SUNY Stony Brook college campus.

On those occasions when we have one or more consecutive days with cloudy or overcast skies, an additional 9.3 million solar panels will be required for each day without sunlight, if we are to prevent power blackouts. Thus, for one day without sunlight, 18.5 million panels will be needed, on land space of 6.6 square miles. For two consecutive days, 27.7 million panels will require 9.9 square miles. And for three overcast days, 36.7 million panels will need 13.3 square miles. It should be noted that these are “ballpark estimates,” and a number of factors may serve to increase, or decrease, the number of panels required to avoid power blackouts.

To reduce this number, power may be contributed from other sources, possibly windmills or other venues, such as Nassau County or Connecticut. However, we will also need to consider likely significant increases in projected power requirements, including power for memory banks for artificial intelligence, increased use of EVs, expanded electrification of the Long Island Rail Road and numerous other applications, which will lead to a need for greater numbers of solar panels, and more land space on which to mount them.

George Altemose

Setauket

Congressman LaLota’s vote to cut Medicaid

Despite repeated reassurances on social media that he would “protect” Medicaid, Congressman Nick LaLota (R-NY1) joined his Republican colleagues in voting to advance the House Budget Resolution, which calls for $880 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next 10 years. Mr. LaLota claims that he does not support deep cuts to Medicaid, however, his support for this bill says otherwise. He has made multiple references to disenrolling undocumented immigrants from Medicaid despite undocumented immigrants already being ineligible for federal Medicaid funding with the exception of emergency care. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act of 1986 all hospitals with an Emergency Room must provide emergency evaluation and care to anyone presenting to the ER, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. Emergency Medicaid is a lifeline for hospitals and allows them to defray the cost of providing necessary care.

LaLota’s support for work requirements likewise is projected to save approximately $110 billion over the next 10 years, while simultaneously cutting health care for thousands of CD 1 residents. Additionally LaLota levies accusations of waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid, but fails to support this claim with any data. Medicaid fraud by recipients is rare. Most fraud is perpetuated by unethical providers; however, there is no evidence to suggest that there is $770 billion worth of fraud. It is also worth noting that many times the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services deems payment to providers as inappropriate; however, upon receiving further clinical documentation the decision is reversed. As a Medicaid provider I am subject to routine audits of my work at the county, state and federal levels. Medicaid reimbursement rates are so poor that many providers do not participate. Medicaid recipients already face a limited network of providers.

Elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients disproportionately account for program expenditures. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation individuals with disabilities account for 21% of Medicaid enrollment but 52% of Medicaid expenditures. The only way for House Republicans to reach their stated goal of $880 billion dollars in cuts over the next decade is to target these expenditures, which include medications, rehabilitation, congregate care and medical devices.

Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care. LaLota just made it more difficult for his constituents to do so. Furthermore, he helped lay the groundwork for the most vulnerable among us to lose access to lifesaving care.

Kathryn Twomey

Port Jefferson Station

WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. 

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

 

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By Hon. Gail Prudenti, Esq.

Hon. Gail Prudenti, Esq.

Contesting a will can be a complex and sensitive decision, often fraught with emotional implications and legal challenges. Understanding when to object to a will is crucial for anyone who believes that the document does not accurately reflect the deceased’s intentions or who has concerns about the will’s validity. Here are key considerations for when a person may choose to object to a will.

Lack of testamentary capacity

One of the most common grounds for contesting a will is the assertion that the deceased lacked the mental capacity to understand what they were doing when they executed the will. If you believe that your loved one was not of sound mind—due to conditions such as dementia, severe illness, or mental incapacity—at the time the will was created, this may warrant an objection.

Undue influence

If you suspect that the deceased was coerced or manipulated into changing their will in favor of another person, this could be a valid reason to contest the will. Evidence of undue influence may include a significant change in the will that benefits a caregiver or a family member who had undue access to the decedent, especially if the decedent had previously expressed different intentions.

Fraud

If the will was procured through fraudulent means—such as misrepresentation about the contents of the will, deception regarding the nature of the documents, or coercive tactics— this may provide grounds for contesting it. If you believe that fraud was involved, it is essential to gather evidence to support your claim.

Improper execution

In many jurisdictions, including New York, there are specific legal requirements for executing a valid will. This typically includes proper signing and witnessing. If the will does not meet these legal standards—such as being signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses—this could be a reason to object.

Revocation

If you have evidence that the deceased revoked the will prior to their death—perhaps through a later will or other direct actions indicating their intent to change their estate plan—this could justify an objection. Establishing the revocation of a previous will is critical in this scenario.

Disqualification of beneficiaries

Certain individuals may be disqualified from inheriting under a will due to their actions, such as felonies committed against the deceased or being an estranged spouse. If you believe that a beneficiary should not have been included in the will based on legal grounds, this may be a reason to object.

Timeframe for objection

In New York, for example, you generally have **seven months** from the date you receive notice that the will is being probated to file your objections, as outlined in **SCPA § 1410**. Failing to act within this timeframe could result in losing your right to contest the will, so it’s crucial to be aware of deadlines.

Consulting an attorney

If you are considering contesting a will, consulting with an attorney who specializes in trusts and estate litigation is highly advisable. An experienced attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case, gather necessary evidence, and navigate the legal complexities involved in the contestation process.

Deciding to object to a will is a significant decision that should not be taken lightly. Understanding the grounds for contesting a will and the appropriate legal procedures is essential. 

Whether due to concerns about capacity, undue influence, improper execution, or other factors, it is important to consult with a qualified attorney to ensure that your rights are protected and that you are acting in accordance with the law. By doing so, you can make informed decisions that honor the memory of your loved one while safeguarding your interests.

Hon. Gail Prudenti, Esq. is the Former Chief Administrative Judge State of New York and a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice on Trusts & Estates. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

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Some people look forward to filing their tax returns, while others recoil at the thought of paying what they owe. Regardless of which camp taxpayers are in, come April most people have a question or two related to their returns. As the deadline to file tax returns draws closer, taxpayers hoping to make the process as smooth as possible can consider these frequently asked questions and answers, courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service.

When is deadline day? Though taxpayers periodically get an extra day or two to file their returns when April 15 coincides with a holiday or lands on a weekend, there’s no such reprieve in 2025. This year all taxpayers who are not requesting an extension must file their income tax returns by April 15, 2025.

What if my address has changed? The IRS urges all taxpayers to use their new address when filing their returns. Additional ways taxpayers can update their address with the IRS is through the filing of Form 8822, Change of Address or Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party-Business. Written statements or oral notifications are additional ways to notify the IRS of an address change, and these methods must include personal information, including the old and new address as well as the taxpayer’s Social Security number, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Is there an age limit on claiming my child as a dependent? A child must meet either the qualifying child test or the qualifying relative test in order to be claimed as a dependent. To meet the qualifying child test, your child must be younger than you or your spouse if filing jointly and either younger than 19-years-old or be a “student” younger than 24-years-old as of the end of the calendar year.

There is no age limit to claim a child as a dependent if a child is “permanently and totally disabled” or meets the qualifying relative test. In addition to meeting the qualifying child or qualifying relative test, you can claim that person as a dependent only if these three tests are met:

1. Dependent taxpayer test

2. Citizen or resident test, and

3. Joint return test

Taxpayers who remain uncertain about their eligibility to claim a child as a dependent are urged to contact the IRS or a tax preparation professional for clarification before filing their returns.

What should I do if my W-2 is incorrect? Employers must provide employees with a W-2 by January 31. If the W-2 is incorrect and has not been fixed by the end of February, taxpayers can contact the IRS and request to initiate a Form W-2 complaint. When such a request is initiated, the IRS sends a letter to the employer and requests that they furnish a corrected W-2 within 10 days. The IRS also sends a letter to the taxpayer with instructions and Form 4852, which can be used to file a return if a corrected W-2 is not provided before the filing deadline.

How can I file for an extension? There are three ways to request an automatic extension of time to file an income tax return.

1. You can pay all or part of your estimated income tax due and indicate that the payment is for an extension using your bank account; a digital wallet such as Click to Pay, PayPal, and Venmo; cash; or a credit or debit card.

2. You can file Form 4868 electronically by accessing IRS e-file using your tax software or by using a tax professional who uses e-file.

3. You can file a paper Form 4868 and enclose payment of your estimate of tax due (optional).

Tax day arrives on April 15. Taxpayers who have lingering questions about their returns are urged to contact the IRS via irs.gov or work with a certified tax professional.

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