Veterans Voice by Art Sloane Did you know that you can make a contribution to a statewide charity to support homeless and in-need veterans and reduce your Arizona state income tax? The qualifying charitable tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax liability — better than a regular tax deduction — and is available to all Arizona taxpayers. (Note that contributions from partnerships, S corporations, trusts, estates and LLCs are not eligible for this tax credit.) Donations to the Arizona StandDowns, which are statewide outreach events aimed at assisting at-risk and homeless veterans, are eligible for this credit. As a single person or if you are married but filing separately, you may contribute as much as $200. Couples who file a joint return may contribute as much as $400. The contribution might also qualify as a charitable contribution on the donor’s federal tax return. Donations can be made online or by mailing a personal check to Arizona StandDown c/o the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness. Visit azceh.org or mail your donation to AZ StandDown c/o AZCEH; 3829 N. Third St., Suite 104, Phoenix AZ 85012. You will be provided with a receipt verifying that you have contributed to an eligible charity. You need not wait until Dec. 31 to be eligible for this tax year. You can donate throughout the year or make recurring donations, however, you will receive a tax credit only on the $200 or $400. Tax-credit contributions are non-refundable. You must make this donation by Dec 31. See azdor.gov for more details on tax credits, or call 602-255-3381 or 800-343-7196 from area codes 520 or 928. Always consult your tax preparer or financial adviser for specific advice. Arizona StandDowns take place in nine locations throughout the state. Veterans Hall of Famer Paul Leo Schnur was born in North Conway, N.H. in 1936 and was on active duty with the U.S. Army Medical Corp in Germany from 1964-66. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona and obtained his M.D. from Baylor University’s College of Medicine in 1962. He is an associate professor at the U of A and the Mayo Medical School. He has performed surgery, pro bono, in numerous foreign countries. As a member of the Military Officers Association he supports the fundraising efforts for the scholarship fund and the Maricopa County StandDown. He has served as the leader of many medical and civic organizations benefiting the citizens of Arizona during his 65-plus years in the state. For these reasons and many others, Schnur was admitted to the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in October. This and that The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Fountain Hills is part of the Vietnam 50th Commemoration. It is honoring our Vietnam veterans at the Fountain Hills Art Fair Nov. 15-16. Every hour it will be asking for those veterans to come up onstage to receive recognition as well as items from the Department of Defense. It will have a Vietnam map and will be asking those veterans to identify their unit, year of service and location of where they served. A new charity that at this time does not have its 501(C)3 status as a charity has a name very close to another legitimate charity and is soliciting funds through telephone calls. The legitimate charity is U.S. Vets, Inc., which houses veterans in need and retrains them. The charity with a name quite similar is U.S. Vets Home Corps and is in the same building as the legitimate charity. Please ask a lot of questions before you give to any charity. Reach retired Master Chief Petty Officer Arthur G. Sloane, Coast Guard, at 480-802-6810 or artgbeard@aol.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 15:09:17 +0000
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