Local Wa Newscast: Spouses of Military members pay Widows Tax

[MadMaddie]

Source: Komo 4 News Seattle 03/21/07 6:30 Newscast

What the hell? Widows across the nation who have lost spouses are hit with a Widows tax on the benefits that they received for the sacrifice of their spouse.

Washington is working on a law to make sure that the kids have access to college tuition funds.

Are you kidding me? Why are we not hearing about this?

No link yet.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Wes Clark had a campaign on that exact subject!

"It's just wrong, and it's bad for military readiness. This is not the time for politics. This is not the time for special interest haggling and pork barrel politics. If we are going to maintain the best volunteer, professional army in the world, we must provide soldiers with the peace of mind that comes from knowing the rest of us will take up for their families if they are killed. How can we expect good, qualified people to remain in military service? It is our duty, as a grateful nation, to stand up for our veterans and their families."-Wes Clark
http://securingamerica.com/node/603

There's a petition to sign to stop this widows' tax at that URL above and more information, including a devastating story of one of Clark's supporters' brother http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/kmshea.htm
who died in combat and how this tax affected his family.

In fact, the Clarkie wrote a Op-ed in the New York Times on this very subject!
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70D14FD395A0C708DDDAB0894DE404482
(That article is archived at NYT and you must pay to read it, but it is also avalaible here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/291812_localvetday10.html )

[aquart]

2. We're TAXING the surviving spouse?

I would have thought killing the spouse would be a sufficient levy for life.

But Bill Gates we don't tax. War widows we tax. Paris Hilton we don't tax.

This nation is insane.

[happyslug]

9. Technically NO, This is how Congress make sure low income widows don't "Double Deep".

Basically Congress has set up tow programs for Widows, One a $1033 per month payment, the other 40$ of the Pay of the Deceased servicemen. The "widow's tax" is the law that says the 40% pay i reduced by the $1033 per month payment. Most enlisted ranks widows fall BELOW the $1033 pay, so that is all they get. As to senior enlisted and Officer ranks their widows get the 40% of pay less the $1033 (i.e. The $1033 plus 40% of their deceased spouse pay less the $1033).

The widow's tax is this reduction of the 40% of pay by the $1033. From what I have gathered on the history of the program the 40% rule had been adopted first (it is a variation of the 50% half-pay retired personnel gets). The $1033 was added by Congress for the widows of enlisted personnel whose 40% of pay would leave them below the poverty level. The $1033 was viewed as a floor no one would go under. But as a Floor, it was NOT intended as a replacement for the 40% of pay rule, thus the reduction of the 40% of pay by the $1033.

What is being asked of Congress today is to make the $1033 payment INDEPENDENT of the 40% of pay rule. Thus EVERY WIDOW WOULD GET BOTH, unlike now when most enlisted widows just get the $1033, while others get their 40% of pay reduced by the $1033 payment.

[Monkeyman]

3. I posted that about a year ago Republicans would not stop the practice

Both Veterans Committees want this stopped now. Steve Buyer' comment at the time everyone pays taxes

[MadMaddie]

4. Monkeyman....I was sitting here with my mouth open...

I suppose I should be pleased that the news is at least covering it.. but it is just another pathetic indication that this administration doesn't give a damn about the soldiars or their families.

[Monkeyman]

5. Remember they walk out without passing the 2007 Budget

This practice would of been stopped if they had passed it. Now the Bill is being held up by a Republican Senator forget who it is . He's from down south somewhere

[MadMaddie]

6. I swear..at 41 I never thought I could be this angry and I am

not an angry person...but dammit...our military families should be respected and certainly not taxed out the nose.

day in and day out, the travesties this administration has foisted upon our troops only to smirk and do what he does "nothing".

I hope that the Gonzalezes Lawyergate is our Watergate.

[LiberalFighter]

8. What would his wife say and feel if he went back to Iraq and was killed?

[susanna]

7. That is twisted and sick. n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

10. #4 K &R

this makes me wanna :cry:

[dubyaD40web]

11. Found a link....

It's from March 18th though:

Fallen service members' survivors left to bear hidden costs of war
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/308006_warorphans19.html