The statement below is from the VFW’s 13 July Action Corps Weekly. In the event this situation may applies to you, ensure you read the provided links for advice on how to proceed. It is not widely known a special law, which went into effect in 2017, was passed to help remedy the situation. However, it has taken the Defense Department until now to determine which veterans were affected and how much they overpaid. (more…)
By now, most have their W-2’s, 1099’s and what else they need to file their taxes. Therefore, we thought this webpage might be of use to you or some of your comrades. ### As of 22 February 2018
Source: Information for Veterans As of 18 July, the Internal Revenue Service has launched a new site titled “Information for Veterans.” “The page is designed to provide timely, federal tax-related information to veterans about tax credits and benefits, free tax preparation, financial education, and asset-building opportunities available to veterans,” according Read more…
Application deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program extended until Dec. 31 Pennsylvania’s state government never seems to set the correct deadline for this program. However, this failure of government happens to be to your advantage. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows and widowers age Read more…
Real Estate tax exemptions for veterans have come up more than once at veterans group meeting. Confusion often reigns. Word of mouth frequently leads to misunderstandings. Perhaps the worst part is surviving spouses are often forgotten – to include the surviving spouses of a servicemembers killed in action. This article is an attempt to clarify the situation for our members who live in Pennsylvania and that other country, New Jersey. While it is beyond the scope of this article to determine with certainty any local ordinances regarding exemptions exist (none are currently known), the existing laws in both states are discussed.
First, the belief that real estate tax exemptions for a disabled veteran are federal law is not true. Any real estate tax exemption, waiver or reduction (hereafter, called “exemption”) is the result of a local ordinance or state law. (more…)
On 21 November, the President signed new legislation, a portion of which continued and expanded tax breaks to employers who hire veterans. H.R. 674 became Public Law 112-56 and Title II within it, the section which applies to veterans, is known as the “VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.”
While the bill directs certain federal departments to reform or improve veterans retraining and placement, includes improvements to Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and directs improvements in the somewhat infamous Transition Assistance Program (TAP) — among other items of interest — what seems to be grabbing the attention has been a small section on new tax credits found under “Other Matters.” (more…)
Veterans Diversion Courts: The Veterans Affairs Committee is looking into Veterans Diversion Courts at this time. It has observed what has gone on in Philadelphia and notes that there are now such courts in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Lackawanna Counties of this state. It is going to start off by getting a speaker or two on the subject to come to a council meeting so the council and our community have a better understanding of what it is about and what is involved. It’s not a parole program. It has to do with steering a life back before prison time, not after. Judges, attorneys, mental health professionals, the VA, police, and others must all be involved to make it successful.
Scholarship Program: The scholarship program has been revamped as was reported at the last council meeting. It’s a major overhaul of the program to keep up with the changing times. If we guessed wrongly, we will readjust, but currently there is renewed emphasis on veterans seeking employment and their children plus those willing to make an active duty service commitment while in college (ROTC). A new business plan has been developed and a new brochure and application forms have been created. The new scholarship committee will meet 22 February to start off the new cycle. See LVMAC Scholarship Program Brochure .
Homelessness: The VA Summit at the Allentown Clinic was cancelled …