9/11 GI BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that veterans can begin to apply for Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits through a new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Web site as early as Friday, May 1.
Veterans can access the VA website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/. This fall will mark the first academic year for which the new benefits will be available to veterans.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill enables eligible service members to enroll in the higher education system by offering benefits to cover costs of tuition, housing, and supplies. More information about eligibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits can be found at VA website.
American Candle Company
221 Front Street
New Richmond Ohio
Candle set Drawing held July 3, 2009 @ 1 p.m.
Entry $2
Proceeds go to the Let Us Never Forget Scholarship Fund and Yellow Ribbon Support Center
For more information contact Greg Edwards at 513-843-6965 or inquire within
Pat Tillman Scholarship
AMVETS Commander's Project
Wii-hab for Ohio Veterans
Commander Strittmather, Sons of AMVETS, Department of Ohio, has instituted a program to add 3 Wii consoles at VA facilities in Ohio. These Wii consoles will be used as rehabilitation for disabled vets. Please see the attached flier for more information.
Free Tax Assistance for Members of the Military
If you or your spouse are a member of the military, you may be eligible to receive free tax return preparation assistance. The U.S. Armed Forces participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and provides free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing and other tax assistance to military members and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council oversees the operation of the military tax programs worldwide, conducting outreach with the IRS to military personnel and their families. The AFTC consists of tax program coordinators for the Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Volunteer assistors at Military-based VITA sites are trained to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits and the new Earned Income Tax Credit guidelines. To receive this free assistance, you should bring the following records to your military VITA site: - Valid photo identification
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a social security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents
- Current year’s tax package, if you received one
- Wage and earning statement(s) -- Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R
- Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available
- Checkbook (to get routing number and account number for direct deposit)
- Total amount paid for day care and day care provider’s identifying number
- Other relevant information about income and expenses If your filing status is Married Filing Jointly and you wish to file your tax return electronically, both you and your spouse should be present to sign the required forms. If it isn’t possible for both to be present, a valid power of attorney that allows tax preparation can be used to sign and file the return.
There is a special exception to using a power of attorney for spouses in combat zones that permits the filing spouse to e-file a joint return with only a written statement setting forth that the other spouse is in a combat zone and is unable to sign.
For more information, review IRS Pulication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide, available on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov or order a free copy by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Link – Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide (PDF 1010.5K)
New Salute Rule
A new law recently took effect that allows veterans and active-duty military not in uniform to render a military style hand salute during The National Anthem
A provision in last year's defense authorization bill authorized vets and troops wearing civilian clothes to salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during The National Anthem.
The change sponsored by Army veteran Sen Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed October 14th.
Cliff Riley
Ohio's Vietnam Veteran of the Year
Click HERE for Clermont County's full story.
Click HERE for the Clermont Sun's Article.
VA Healthcare Priority Group 8
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits. For more information click here.
Freedom's Call Tattoo 2009
Guest Star Aaron Tippin (FREE Concert)
Country music superstar Aaron Tippin will take the stage June 26, in a free concert that is part of the Air Force Material Command's fifth annual Freedom's Call Tattoo, held on the grounds behind the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
The military celebration which also includes flyovers, military presentations, the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, technology displays as well as one of the largest fireworks shows in SW Ohio is free and open to the public. Gates will open at 4:30 (16:30); Tippin will take the stage at approximately 9:00 (2100).
Attention Ohio Military Retirees
Effective January 1, 2008
Effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2007, military retired pay of taxpayers who retired from service in the active or reserve components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or from the National Guard, and SBP benefits, are exempt from state income tax and school district income tax. This pay can be deducted from federal adjusted gross income.
Eligible taxpayers can request that their Ohio withholding be adjusted by contacting the Defense Finance and Accounting Service at http://www.dfas.mil/ or (877) 363-3677. Federal civil service retirees who received federal service credit for military service are allowed to deduct only that portion of their pension attributable to military service.
Note: Since military retirement income is deducted from federal adjusted gross income and thus is not included in Ohio adjusted gross income for post-2007 years, military retirement income does not qualify for the retirement income credit.
Click HERE for more info.
Helmets to Hardhats
Free Source for Construction Trade Careers
The first step in finding a great career in the building and construction trade is to register free at the following site www.helmetstohardhats.com or for more information click HERE
Honoring Military Past and Present
As part of an effort to reach as many of Clermont County’s 15,000 veterans and their families as possible, our office held a special Veteran’s Service to honor members of the military, both past and present. The service was held on Sunday, May 18, at King’s Way Fellowship Church, located at 4359 E. Bauman Lane in Batavia.
Click here to view
Board Meeting
The Clermont County Veterans' Service Commission will meet in regular session on Wednesday, June, 10th at 8 a.m. The location for this meeting is 76 S. Riverside Dr., Heritage Building - 3rd Floor, conference room, Batavia, OH.
Mission Statement
To oversee the operation of the Veterans' Service Office; to provide emergency financial assistance to veterans, spouses, dependent children and surviving spouses; and to assist veterans in obtaining earned benefits from the federal, state, and local levels of government.