Ginny Estupinian
At times it is better to start a business than to find a job that really fits your needs and your goals. Many people have thought about starting their own business but might not have any idea how to do that. As I mentioned before in this blog, disabled veterans have a very hard time finding work. Now there is a new program that is free that will teach disabled veterans the basics of how to start their own business.
The ‘Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities’ (http://whitman.syr.edu/ebv/) is currently accepting applications for summer 2008. This groundbreaking program, designed to assist veterans with disabilities, will offer training in small business start-up and management to servicemen and women injured in the line of duty since 2001. This program is a live program which means you have to go there to learn. However, the program is picking up all the cost including travel, lodging, and the cost of the course. You can get more information by going to the link below.
The participants in this program come from all branches of service and range in age from people in their 20’s to people in their 50”s. The program is being run by some of the nations top business schools including :Syracuse University, UCLA Anderson School of Management, Florida State University’s College of Business, and Mays Business Schoolat Texas A&M. This program is a great opportunity for disabled veterans to make a way for themselves and their families and own their future. This is a free education from some of the best business schools in the nation. According to the program the information that they will teach is both practical and usable.
The program is taking applications now so check it out at: http://www.whitman.syr.edu/ebv/
By Ginny Estupinian
Congress recently made some changes that may provide some tax breaks for military personnel and their families.
1. Disabled retired veterans now have one year to file for a refund as a result of the government reclassifying part of their taxable retirement pay as tax-free disability. This relief is retroactive. Refund claims for reclassifications made after December 31, 2000 can be filed with the IRS before June 2009.
2. Military death gratuities can now be rolled over to Roth IRA’s or Coverdell education savings accounts. This also applies back to payments for death from injuries that occurred after October 6, 2001.
3. Bonus payments made by states to service members are tax free. This change is for all open tax years. So anyone who paid income tax on these payments can file a claim for a refund with the IRS
4. Rebate rules for soldiers are being eased. If one spouse is a member of the armed forces during the year, there is no longer the rule that both spouses must have a valid social security number in order to get a rebate. The IRS will be changing its systems and begin issuing rebates that before this change they were not doing.
5. If you are reservists who is participating in your employer’s Flex plan you can have the unused amount in the plan paid out to you if you are called to active duty. This new provision allows you not to forfeit the money that you have set aside in the health flex plan. Please note that this change is optional on the part of the employer as there is nothing that forces them to make the distribution.
The information here is provided to give you a brief overview of some recent changes that may help you, but it is not complete nor is it tax advice. I recommend that you consult with your own tax professional and ask them if you can take advantage of any of these changes.
By Ginny Estupinian
A nonprofit organization by the name of Give an Hour Foundation has formed a network of about 1200 licensed professionals that have donated an hour a week to counsel service members and their families for free.
The goal of this group is to enroll 40,000 mental health professionals who will then donate their services to individual veterans, veterans groups, and their families.
Dr. Barbara Romberg, the president of the organization, has stated that among the various issues that these professionals will deal with is the serious affects of Post Traumatic Stress disorder. The goal is to not only to help veterans, but also provide support for the families. The hope is that by addressing the issues early on, PTSD does not turn into a chronic illness.
Supporting the efforts of this group is the Eli Lilly foundation who donated $1million to support the organization’s outreach programs including providing for public awareness campaigns and the recruiting of mental health professionals.
To find more information about the services as well as a potential mental health professional in your area visit www.giveanhour.org
