Help a veteran and save on your taxes
Art Sloane
Tax time is approaching in just a few months and I like many others are not looking forward to it, but there is a way to save and not give as much to the state but to worthy causes. If you are married you may already know you may give up to $400 or $200 if single to two different groups. The first are the schools and the second is to the Working Poor. Then you deduct this as a tax credit. An example is e.g. Pay the state $1,000, deduct $400 or $200 to schools and $400 or $200 to the working poor. Arizona StandDowns with eight StandDowns in the State to help homeless or in need veterans and pay the State $200 or $600. The StandDowns are listed under the working poor tax credit but is used for veterans only. The lead agency is The Coalition to End Homelessness. You may send your donation to the Coalition to End Homelessness and put StandDown in the memo area on your check or make monthly payments all year and take the total amount given at the end of the year. After the tax credit on your State taxes you use your donation as a tax donation on your federal taxes. If you want to help all homeless leave the memo area blank. Send checks to the Coalition at 141 E. Palm Lane, Suite 5, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
The sixth annual Turkeys to Troops sponsored by Heroes to Hometowns needs our help to feed 2,500 military families a Thanksgiving dinner. They are once again providing Iraq and Afghanistan injured and wounded troops, deployed military families, National Guard and Reserve and active duty military families with a fixings for a great meal. They need 2,500 $20 grocery gift cards or monetary donations. For more information go to AZ Heroes to Hometowns. Also you may send donations to P.O. Box 31646, Mesa Arizona 85275. For questions call Kathy Pearce at 480-330-1632 or [email protected].
The fifth annual event Honoring Arizona’s Vietnam Veterans will take place at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale starting at 5:30 p.m. on October 31. There are special room rates at the resort for this dinner; call 480-948-5000. The evening program consists of a Vietnamese Color Guard, dinner, music, short speeches, videos and a special presentation to Vietnam Veterans. The guest speaker will be Joe Galloway, one of America’s premier war and foreign correspondents. In addition Major General James T. Jackson the Director to the Commemoration of the Vietnam War will give a short speech. The cost is $50 per person and tickets are not issued. Send for tickets to the Arizona Military Museum, 9014 N. Wealth Road, Maricopa, Arizona 85139.
Are you retired from the military? There are many benefits but one of the best during the summer is Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff. This area has camping, cabins and a motel for retired veterans. Their phone number is 623-856-3401. There are also many benefits that may be obtained through the ticket and travel office at Luke Air Force Base. Contact them at 623-856-6000.