Rescuegram the RESCUEGRAM New Earned Income Credit Rules Is Published by the Public Affairs Office, 129Th Rescue Wing
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The Official Information Publication of the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard April 2008 Nigerian Air Force visits 129th Rescue Wing Lives Saved 129th Public Affairs Office 558 These Things We Do... That Others May Live... Inside This Issue: Photo by Master Sgt. Dan Kacir Group Captain Son Igwe, along with members of the Nigerian Air Force, met and toured with 129th Maintenance Group personnel during their visit to the 129th Rescue Wing. Ni- Income Tax Credit 2 geria is one of California’s military exchange countries. Professional Portrait 3 Airmen stationed here from the 129th Rescue Wing Maintenance Group put down their wrenches to help promote democracy and build Change of Command 4 relations with their Nigerian counterparts March 1-2, 2008. This visit marked the first engagement for the Nigerian Air Force with 129th SFS 5 the California Air National Guard, said Capt. Clayton Smith, California National Guard International Affairs Specialist. News and notes 6 The 5-person Nigerian delegation arrived in the United States Feb. 27 for a six-day visit in California, and during their stay, the officers briefed with maintenance personnel, toured maintenance and operations facilities, and even observed a squadron change-of-command ceremony. “We are here as part of an aircraft maintenance familiarization workshop,” said Group Captain Son Igwe. “We came to understand how your logistics and maintenance operates. We’ve seen how information technology has aided aircraft maintenance, how you continue to improve, achieve perfection and consistency.” The Nigerian Air Force benefited from the exchange due to their own work with C-130s. VISIT, cont. pg. 3 1 The Rescuegram THE RESCUEGRAM New earned income credit rules is published by the Public Affairs Office, 129th Rescue Wing. This lucrative for some Airmen official newsletter is an authorized by Master Sgt. Scott Wagers publication for members of the U.S. Air Force News Agency military services. Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by RAMSTEIN AIR one was gone to the courage people to the Public Affairs Office of the 129th BASE, Germany (AFPN) desert for a significant come to us and we’ll Rescue Wing. Its contents are not -- Filing his family’s period of time then his help them understand necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, taxes each year online, or her annual income is exactly how much they the Department of Defense, the Master Sgt. Ron Przy- going to be significantly qualify for,” she said. Department of the Air Force, or the sucha says he normally smaller which may Other mandates for California Air National Guard. receives about $3,000 better qualify him or earned income credit The mission of the 129th in tax returns. This year her for earned income qualification: Rescue Wing is to provide highly however, he was taken credit,” she said. -- You cannot file trained and well-equipped rescue by surprise when the “Your best chances of “married, filing sepa- resources, able to respond to and sustain the state mission same Web site he tradi- qualifying are if you’re a rately” to qualify for of furnishing trained personnel tionally uses calculated couple filing jointly with earned income credit. for state emergencies, such as his return at nearly two children have an Partners must file natural disasters, and to assist civil $8,000. annual income thresh- jointly. authorities in the enforcement of “I immediately old of around $39,000,” -- Both partners filing the law. thought it was a mis- Captain Payne said. jointly and all claimed When called to active duty take and I didn’t want There are six differ- children must possess with the Air Force, we provide manpower, material and equipment to owe the government ent income thresholds a U.S. issued social resources to conduct and complete money so I went to the based on the structure security number. combat and search rescue IRS Web site to verify and employment status -- If you have a for- operations world-wide. We provide the information for of each family as well as eign spouse, he or she manpower, material and equipment military members and the number of children must possess a U.S. to conduct and complete peacetime it told me that there included in the family. issued social security search operations. was a change in the The earned income number (not an “ITIN” STAFF (earned income credit credit is a law that -- Individual Tax Identi- Commander ) rules,” said Sergeant was created to give fication Number). Col. Amos Bagdasarian Przysucha, who is a tax breaks to working -- You have to have Vice Commander television broadcaster families. It’s a refund- lived in the U.S. for at Col. Wayne Albright assigned to Air Force able credit meaning least six months out of Wing Executive Officer News, Det. 4. that even if you have no the year. Lt. Col. Pete Sobrino Command Chief Master Sgt. The tax laws affecting tax liability -- in other -- Military assigned Chief Master Sgt. Liliana Ramos military taxpayers have words, you don’t owe to oversea bases qualify changed significantly taxes for the year and for 6 months U.S. oc- Public Affairs Staff over the last few years, you’re scheduled to cupancy. Public Affairs OIC said Capt. Mary Ellen receive back everything -- Civilians working Capt. Alyson M. Teeter Payne, the officer in you paid out over the at oversea bases do not NCOIC/Staff Writer charge of the tax center calendar year, you can qualify for U.S. occu- Staff Sgt. Andrew Hughan Staff Writer at Ramstein Air Base. still qualify to receive pancy. Staff Sgt. Jil Jamgochian “In the past, military earned income credit on Admin. Specialist pay allowances such as top of the money that Senior Airman Cynthia Chen variable housing allow- was withheld through- ance and cost-of-living out the year. The maxi- Photography Staff allowance were tradi- mum amount of income Master Sgt. Barbara Apkarian tionally included as part credit being paid out is Master Sgt. Dan Kacir Tech. Sgt. Ray Aquino of your earned income, $4,716. Senior Airman Kelly Hobby even though those al- “The last thing that’s Senior Airman Joshua Kauffman lowances weren’t taxed. important to know is This would put most that it’s difficult for the Contact Us military members over tax office to estimate 129th RQW/PA the annual income how much people will P.O. Box 103, Stop 20 threshold of qualifying receive on their return Moffett FAF, CA 94035 for the earned income without using a certain Telephone (650) 603-9152 credit,” Captain Payne type of software because [email protected] said. there are many vari- “Also non-taxable ables that affect what combat pay is no longer you qualify for,” Captain included in your annual Payne said. earned income. If some- “That said, we en- 2 The Rescuegram Visit cont. from page 1 The exchange was part of a California State Partnership Program exchange between the California National Guard and Nigerian air force. According to the California National Guard Office of International Affairs’ website, the SPP brings the other partner country’s officers to the United States for information sharing to assist with its armed forces re-structuring, modernization, and strengthening principles of democracy and free market economies. The California National Guard has partnered with both Nigeria and Ukraine. “I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the American government and the commander of Photo by Master Sgt. Dan Kacir the 129 Rescue Wing for making “Everybody here was happy to help and interested in providing answers,” said Capt. Mike the tour an enlightening one,” Sampognero, 129th Maintenance Officer. “The Nigerians were very interested in the in- Group Captain Igwe said. “We’re tegrated maintenance data systems, our computerization of maintenance records.” The very grateful for this partnership Nigerians hope to acquire the same type of system through their own government. program and hope it continues.” Welcome Home Event REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! The 129th Rescue Wing Family Send questions to: Please provide your first and Readiness Program will participate Romeo Horvath last name, city, and the number of in a VA Homecoming Event and Event Coordinator people who will attend. you are invited! (650) 493-5000 x67285 You must bring your Driver’s [email protected] License or Military ID with you on May 10, 2008 the day of the event in order to enter 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food & Refreshments ● Door Moffett Federal Airfield. Chase Park Prizes ● Live Music ● Bay For more information, visit Moffett Federal Airfield Area Sports Players & Alumni ● http://www.palo-alto.med.va.gov/ Children’s Entertainment WelcomeHome.asp Professional Portrait What is your favorite memory in the AF? First High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) parachute jump at US ARMY HALO school Yuma, AZ. How has being an Airman changed your outlook on life? Becoming part of the military family has shown me how much we look out for each other. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the military? No matter what obstacles present themselves the mission must be accomplished. If you could deploy anywhere in the world, where would you go? Germany, I have never been there Where did you grow up? Danville, CA What is your job in the civilian world? Worked sales for a major telecommunications provider before enlisting, currently full time pararescue. What are your hobbies? Mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and softball. Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Kauffman Senior Airman Mark Finney, 131st RQS Professional portrait is a monthly profile of an outstanding Staff Sgt. and below.