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MilitaryByOwner Advertising. Inc.
Newsletter
April 2010
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Letter from the Editor
Spring has sprung! And here at MilitaryByOwner.com, that means that the signs of the busy PCS season are all around us!
If you are trying to rent or sell your home in anticipation of your move this summer, now is the time to put your best foot forward. We have found that ads that include photos are viewed 70% more often than those that don't. If you choose a package that includes photos, be sure to maximize the effect with clear, bright photos of your home! Our Real Estate Corner segment also has some great tips on how to make your home stand out against the other homes in your market.
April is not only tax season, but it is also the Month of the Military Child, so in celebration of these two things, we have included a link to the 2009 Armed Forces' Tax Guide, guidelines for the new Military Spouses Residency Relief Act and additional tax resources in our Military Life segments as well as wonderful information on how to celebrate the children that serve along side their parents in our Featured Site segment.
We wanted to point out a correction to the article "From Rescue to Recovery" that we featured last month. The accurate dates for the extension of the First Time Homebuyers Credit are that one must be in a signed contract by April 30, 2010 with a closing date on or before June 30, 2010. We apologize for the error.
Each month we try to provide interesting and informative articles for our subscribers that will give you insight into the real estate market as well as general military life. We love to hear feedback, so if there is ever a subject that you would like to see us cover, please do not hesitate to contact me.
With over 85% of our staff being military spouses, retired military or military dependents, we have the knowledge and experience that comes with frequent relocation. So as the busy PCS season approaches, please feel free to contact our friendly staff that is on the other end of both our inbox and our live chat. We are happy to be of assistance!
Monica Schaefer
Editor
MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc.
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MilitaryByOwner News 
Cherry Blossoms in DC! |
What a great time of the year! I want to take a moment to highlight our featured advertisers on MilitaryByOwner and PCS-Lodging.
USAA- When it comes to a PCS, USAA knows the drill!
PODS- Moving and Storage made easy!
We here are busy working on the new look and feel which is in the testing phase. As always email your suggestions to us!
Sharon
866 604 9126, M-F, 9am-5pm EST
Live Chat, M-F, 9am-9pm EST
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Real Estate Corner
Home Prep Tips
By
Cindy Barganier
Do you live by an airport where you no longer hear jet
engines passing over head? Your guests do! It's difficult to view your home as
others view it. After a while, you don't see the animal hair everywhere or
smell the smells or hear the sounds. But for a prospective buyer visiting for
the first time, these little nuances may prove costly turn-offs and lead to
smaller offers. You may need a brave, albeit honest, friend or, better, an
unbiased professional to give you a candid assessment of how to enhance your
presentation. Professional designer Cindy Barganier offers the following tips.
First and foremost, you want a prospective buyer to envision their family
living in your home. You'll help foster that vision by creating a neutral
backdrop against which they can see their furnishings and their lifestyle. As
wonderful as your decorating may be, you don't want to obstruct their ability
to see themselves and their style within your walls.
Clean is a must. Hire a cleaning service, if necessary. De-clutter. Packing up
toys and cleaning out closets will make rooms look bigger. Box up the 45
beanie-babies displayed in your bookshelves (or even the 20 laliques).
Remember, regardless of the value of your things, too much of anything is
distracting. If you have bookcases, neatly arrange your books; and using an odd
number of attractive, carefully arranged accessories is better than shelves
full of odds and ends.
If you have out-dated, light blocking window coverings-ruffled, small prints
and most toppers are out, out, out-take them down and replace them with some
simple, solid-colored drapery panels, even if you have to buy some ready made
ones on sale.
Color is very personal. When in doubt, go neutral. White is very contemporary.
But soft beiges, grays and creams work. This goes for rugs too. And if you have
wonderful wood floors, show them off! After all, they stay with the house.
As hard as it is, depersonalize. Oil portraits are fine but avoid having tons
of family pictures sitting around and have almost none hanging on the walls.
Remember, let buyers envision their home.
Throw away the dusty fake flowers, especially the ones outside! Have one
pretty, unpretentious arrangement of fresh flowers in the main living or dining
area-a vase of white roses or simple greenery cut from your yard will add
understated elegance.
Clear the dining table. Instead of eight placements with matching napkins, have
a beautiful bowl with a few fresh blossoms floating in water or some simple
candles or an arrangement of fruit with a rose added. Keep it simple. Less is
more.
Cindy Barganier holds a BS from
AuburnUniversity in Interior Home Furnishings and Equipment. She served as
Vice-President and President of the School of Home Economics and was a member of the National Dean's List. Guest
lecturer and juror for senior design projects at Auburn from 1982 until 1992,
she currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Department of Human
Sciences. For more information visit www.cindybarganier.com.
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USAA Corner 
5 tax tips for tough tax situations
As the April 15th deadline looms, tax time becomes crazier and
crazier. And that's in the best of circumstances. If you add in a few of
life's curveballs, you could have a downright disaster. So, your returns may be
relatively uncomplicated, but new circumstances can make tax preparation a bit
trickier.
This year, says USAA's J.J. Montanaro, a Certified Financial Planner practitioner, you
may want to consider engaging the help of a tax professional to make sure you
are taking advantage of the tax incentives. However, whether you tackle your
taxes yourself or turn to a tax pro, follow these tips to avoid mistakes.
1. You Got Divorced
Notwithstanding reality, when it comes to your filing status it's black and white. Even if the final date on your divorce is Dec. 31, the IRS views you as divorced for the entire year - so don't choose married filing jointly status on your return.
If you have children, your divorce decree should state who can claim them as
dependents. If that wasn't decided, you and your former spouse can arrange to
alternate years using IRS Form 8332. Visit IRS.gov for more information.
2. Your Spouse Dies
You can file as married filing jointly for the tax year your spouse died (unless you
remarried by the end of the year). Additionally, you may also be eligible to
file as a qualifying widow(er) with dependent child for 2 years following the
year your spouse died.
Keep in mind that life insurance payouts are generally free from federal income tax.
But if you invested the money and earned interest, the interest still needs to
be reported.
3. Your Dependents Go Solo
You can still claim an exemption for your children if you pay at least half their
expenses, they are full-time students, they are younger than 24 at the end of
the year, and meet other IRS requirements. Make sure they don't file returns
claiming themselves as dependents, which is viewed as "double
dipping" by the IRS.
4. You Have W-2s From Employers In Multiple States This can be a problem if you must file a state return for one or more states. State laws
and filing requirements vary, so check with the state in which you had earned
income for specific requirements. Remember, bad news doesn't get better with time. Keep in mind that relocating for employment reasons can make moving expenses deductible.
5. Your W-2 Is Wrong
Contact your employer immediately if your name, Social Security number, street address,
or pay amount contains errors. The employer should then file a Form W-2c with
the proper details.
USAA or its affiliates do not provide tax advice. The tax information contained in the material
is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose
of avoiding paying taxes or tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.
Taxpayers should seek the advice based on their own particular circumstances
from an independent tax advisor.
USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates.
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Military Life
Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) (Public Law 111-97)
1. Background. The MSRRA changes the basic rules of taxation with respect to military spouses who earn income from services performed in a State in which the spouse is present with the Service member (SM) in compliance with military orders when that State is not the spouse's domicile (legal residence). Under these conditions, the spouse generally will not have to pay income taxes to the current State where income is earned. The spouse, however, would be required to pay income tax to the domiciliary State (assuming that State taxes wages).
2. GET HELP! The law is complicated and fact specific, and because its effect will depend on the interpretations of each State, SMs and their spouses are encouraged to seek free, confidential advice from a military legal assistance office. Legal assistance offices can be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/content/locator.php .
3. Effective dates. The law is effective for tax year 2009 and may entitle eligible spouses to a refund of their tax year 2009 withholdings. It may, however, also require some spouses to file tax returns in their State of domicile for tax year 2009, when they might otherwise not have been required to do so. For tax years after 2009, spouses should file new withholding forms with their employer indentifying their domiciliary State. If taxes must be withheld for payment to the domiciliary State and the employer cannot withhold them, then the spouse would have to make estimated quarterly tax payments to the domiciliary State.
4. What is domicile (legal residence)? It is the place that one considers "home," where one has been physically present (generally this means lived) and formed the intent to remain for the indefinite future and return when temporarily absent. Examples of contacts with a particular State that help prove domicile include: where one votes, owns property, holds professional licenses, registers vehicles, holds a driver's license, accepts tax breaks for a declaration of homestead, or indicates where his or her last will and testament should be probated. A determination of domicile will be fact specific. No particular combination of these or other similar contacts will necessarily guarantee proof of domicile. SMs and spouses must look to the appropriate State law. One may abandon an old domicile by being physically present in another State, forming the intent to create a new domicile there, and establishing new contacts with the new domiciliary State.
5. Example: Spouse and SM are domiciled in Texas. SM is reassigned from Texas to Virginia and spouse accompanies SM to Virginia. Prior to the MSRRA, the spouse would have to pay State taxes on income earned from services performed in Virginia, but under the MSRRA, the spouse would not have to pay income tax to Virginia. The spouse, would, however, have to comply with the tax laws of the State of domicile, in this example, Texas. Because Texas has no State income tax, the spouse would pay no State income tax. Had the spouse's domicile been a State with an income tax, then the spouse would have to pay State income tax to that State, even though the income was earned in Virginia. Should the spouse voluntarily remain in Virginia after the SM subsequently transferred outside of Virginia under orders authorizing the spouse to accompany the SM, then the spouse would lose the protections of the MSRRA and would be required to pay income tax to Virginia.
6. How is this different from the current rules for Service members? The rules for spouses and SMs are now very similar. A SM does not pay State taxes on military pay and allowances earned in the State where the SM is assigned (assuming the SM's State of assignment and domicile are not the same). This now applies to accompanying spouses, for all income from services performed. Both SMs and spouses are also responsible for complying with the tax laws of their domiciliary State, although such laws may not apply to both. For example, some States, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, exempt from taxation the income of their domiciliary SMs that is earned in other States. However, those exemptions do not apply to the spouse. Thus a spouse who was domiciled in New Jersey, but who was living and earning income in Virginia because of the SM's orders would owe taxes to New Jersey.
7. Common misunderstandings and uncertainties.
a. The MSRRA does not allow a spouse to pick or chose a domicile in any State. Domicile is established, not arbitrarily chosen. The spouse must have actually been present in the State, established it as his or her domicile, and maintained it as such by forming and maintaining the necessary contacts. Similarly, the MSRRA does not allow a spouse to "inherit" or assume the military member's domicile upon marriage.
b. The MSRRA does not allow a spouse to recapture an abandoned domicile without physically returning to the abandoned State of domicile and reforming the appropriate intent and demonstrating it by forming new contacts. In other words, having once lived in a State (even if the spouse once established domicile through registering to vote, obtaining a driver's license, or other actions) will not allow a spouse to now claim the State as his/her domicile unless the spouse has continued to maintain sufficient contacts with the State. Again, this issue can often be complicated and seeking legal advice is encouraged.
c. The MSRRA does not relieve the spouse from paying State income taxes on income other than for services performed in the non-domiciliary State. For example, income from the sale of real property or from rental property would be taxable in the State where the property was located, MSRRA notwithstanding. The spouse must also comply with the tax laws of the domiciliary State.
d. It is not clear what the effect of the MSRRA will be: when the spouse lives in the State where the SM is assigned, but works in another State; when the spouse and SM live in a State other than the one to which the SM is assigned; or when the spouse and SM do not hold the same domicile.
e. The MSRRA does not affect whether a spouse must get a driver's license in the non-domiciliary State. That is entirely a function of State law.
8. Other effects of the MSRRA.
a. The MSRRA also exempts non-business personal property (most often automobiles) from taxation in the non-domiciliary State when the property is titled in the spouse's name or jointly with the spouse and SM. As in the case of income tax, the spouse must be in the non-domiciliary State to accompany the military member on military orders.
b. The MSRRA should make it easier for the spouse to vote in the domiciliary State by absentee ballot. Voting is a very important contact to help prove and maintain domicile.
9. More information. The Federation of Tax Administrators, which works closely with tax officials from all the States, has posted a helpful and more in-depth analysis of the MSRRA on its website: http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/s_475.pdf .
[2.22.10]
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Military Life II
Military OneSource Offers
Free Tax Filing
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2010 - Defense officials encourage military families to
once again take advantage of the free electronic tax filing services offered
through Military OneSource.
People can access the H&R Block at Home
program by going to Military OneSource at http://www.militaryonesource.com/ and
clicking on "Tax Filing Services."
More than 200,000 servicemembers filed their tax returns through this resource
last year, officials said.
"We have such a mobile force, and you have folks dispersed all over the world.
It's a quick link for the family to link up with the [servicemember]," said
Tommy T. Thomas, deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and
family policy. "It's a convenience for you to be able to go on that site and
file that tax form."
The program is open to active duty, Guard and Reserve servicemembers,
regardless of activation status, as well as spouses, dependent children and
family members standing in for a deployed servicemember.
Participants can e-file up to three state resident returns for each federal
return, Thomas said. However, he added, they should ensure they're filing
through Military OneSource. People who file through H&R Block directly may
be charged for services, he cautioned.
The program is set up for basic returns. People who wish to upgrade to the
premium program also may incur charges.
For tax assistance, filers can call a Military OneSource tax consultant from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, seven-days-a- week, at 800-730-3802.
"That's a tremendous service," Thomas said. "We feel it's important to give our
military families the absolute best."
Along with the consultants, people with complicated tax returns can visit a
legal assistance office on a military installation for more in-depth advice, he
said.
Whether online or on base, people should file early, Thomas advised.
"Don't run up against the 15 April deadline," he said. "And when you get the
return, look at it as the means to secure your family's finances," whether its
paying off debts, adding to a savings account or contributing to a Thrift
Savings Plan.
Biographies:
Tommy T. Thomas
Related Sites:
Military
OneSource Tax Filing Services
Office
of Military Community and Family Policy
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Featured Site
Celebrate Month of Military Child
April 2010
Every April, the Department of Defense and service branches honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military children. Installations and individual commands hold special events, programs, and ceremonies to recognize these kids' proud and loyal support of their parents' service. In some locations, civilian schools and youth-serving organizations sponsor activities to show appreciation. You and your children may have already participated in Month of the Military Child celebrations this month. But if you're like many Guard and Reserve families your access to official activities may be limited by distance or lack of information about events in your area. Don't let that stop you from celebrating Month of the Military Child! Here are some suggestions.Find out what's happening in your state Operation Military Kids (OMK) is a nationwide partnership of military and civilian organizations to coordinate social, recreational, and educational opportunities for school-age military kids in the communities where they live. OMK encourages partners like 4-H clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the American Legion to sponsor Month of the Military Child events in their communities. You can go to www.operationmilitarykids.org to find about if there are any activities nearby (click on "State Information). Plan your own celebration If nothing's happening in your area, then get together with your extended family and friends or other military parents and plan something special to celebrate Month of the Military Child. For ideas on events, projects, and activities, go to www.monthofthemilitarychild.com. This site has many excellent suggestions for parents and teachers, along with helpful downloads for creating arts-and-crafts projects and decorations. Help your children stay connected with a deployed parent For children dealing with having a parent who is deployed or about to deploy, it may be important to just focus on helping them stay connected. Month of the Military Child offers a good excuse to see or see again the DVD's Sesame Street: Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployment, Homecomings, and Changes (for preschool children) or Military Youth Coping with Separation When Family Members Deploy (for teens). Military OneSource has many more resources for parents working to help their children cope with deployment. Look under the "Deployment" category on our Web site or call 1-800-342-9647 and speak with a consultant.
This
article is provided to service members and their families as part of the
Military OneSource program, which offers information and support on a wide
range of family and personal issues. To access the program just go to
www.militaryonesource.com or call Military OneSource today. From the United States call 800-342-9647. From overseas
call collect 484-530-5908.
Military
OneSource is brought to you by the Department of Defense at no cost to you.
© 2009 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved. Used by
permission.
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Featured Site II
When you hear "Operation Purple camp" you should think: Kids Serve Too! The National Military Family Association's Operation Purple camps are a time for
having fun, making friends, and reminding military kids that they are the
Nation's youngest heroes.
The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 to fill a need identified by
military parents to "help us help our kids." The mission of the Operation Purple
program is to empower military children and their families to develop and
maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military
environment. We do this through a variety of means, including the healing and
holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or
"purple"-encompassing all Service branches, including the National Guard and
Reserve.
In the 2004 Operation Purple pilot season, the National Military Family
Association was able to implement 12 different Operation Purple camps serving
close to 1,000 children. Since then the Operation Purple program has grown and
expanded and by summer's end close to 30,000 military children and teens will
have been served. The Operation Purple program also includes leadership camps
for teens, family retreats at the national parks, and camps geared to address
the needs of children and families of our nations wounded service members.
Donations for Operation Purple camps are now supporting our 2011 camps.
Please direct questions regarding the Operation Purple program to OPC@militaryfamily.org.
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Featured Home
For Rent / For Sale By OwnerRent: $1,700.00/month Price: $280,000.00 New Bern, NC - Frost Court4 Bed, 2 Bath (Single Family)  Description:Gorgeous home in desired Carolina Pines neighborhood. Home is located on a
cul-de-sac with wooded lot only minutes away from MCAS, Cherry Point. This
immaculate home and open floor plan has many upgrades; Granite
countertops,stainless steel appliances, and breakfast nook, tray ceilings in
Master BR and dining room, bar stool top in kitchen, chair rail and crown
molding. The spacious living room has built in cabinets gas fireplace and
hardwood floors throughout the main living area. FROG includes 4 th bedroom
plus/bonus room. Master has huge walkin closet and master Bath has a private
bath with double sinks and garden tub and stand up shower. Custom screened in
porch and outdoor deck to enjoy private backyard. 10x10 Custom Built Storage
Shed located in backyard. MilitaryByOwner
Price: $280,000.00 MilitaryByOwner Rent: $1,700.00/month MBO139698
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Testimonial
We advertise solely on MilitaryByOwner.com. We have had overwhelming responses to our ads both times we have utilized the site, and successfully rented our home both times. I have nothing but praise for the site. It is affordable and effective.
I tell all of my friends around the world about this site.
Thank you!
B.H.
Pentagon, VA
3/10
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