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Which Benefits Are Available to LGB Military Families?

Gay soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been able to serve openly since September 20th, 2011, when the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was officially revoked. However, due to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal government is barred from recognizing same sex marriages – even if a couple...
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How to make the most of your paycheck

Your pay in the military is fixed by your rank and time in grade. That’s part of the appeal of the service. Making that paycheck stretch is something many struggle with, especially as they are starting out. There are things you can do that effect the amount of pay you...
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Combat Pay and the Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has been a part of the tax code, in one form or the other, since 1975. According to the IRS the EITC exists, “in part to offset the burden of social security taxes and to provide an incentive to work.” Because of the numerous changes...
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Military Tax Benefit: Delayed Actions When In a Combat Zone

Dealing with the IRS is stressful enough. It can become even more stressful if you or your spouse is in a combat zone. The Government realizes this and those serving in a combat zone have some special exemptions for taking action with the IRS. Taking action can include: filing your taxes,...
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Your Rich Uncle Wants to Help You Save for Your Retirement

Your rich Uncle (Sam, that is) wants to help you save for your retirement. In fact, through the tax code the US Government has done several things to help pick up the tab for your retirement savings. I’ll review a couple that you may already be familiar with and then...
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Getting The Most Out Of Military OneSource

The Department of Defense offers military families a comprehensive resource for all aspects of readiness, resilience, and even recreation. The program, called Military OneSouce, is meant as a virtual extension of on-base services. It offers one source of easily accessible information, resources, and services for military families. For example, Military...
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Five Tax Tips for Military Families

It’s tax time again, and that means my phone will be ringing with friends who ostensibly want to say “hello” but in reality have a tax question. Sit for the CPA exam and see if you don’t get the same treatment! Being a military family offers some tax advantages, but...
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Annuities 201: Do They Belong In Your Financial Plan?

Annuities are some of the most heavily marketed investment vehicles available. And as I said in Annuities 101, annuities are neither good or bad. It depends on what your financial goal is. Once you set the financial goal, you’ll be able to determine if an annuity is right for you. Since...
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Annuities 101: What Are They?

With the stock market “crash” of 2008, annuities have gained a lot of attention in the last few years. But what is an annuity? First of all, annuities are a life insurance product. Second of all, annuities are complicated and difficult to understand. Let me see if I can help clear up...
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The Goldman Sachs Letter and You

The letter from a resigning Goldman Sachs executive has become quite the Internet rage. Most of us will never deal with Goldman Sachs and the letter may seem to be nothing more than an interesting “rant”. But, is that necessarily true? Maybe not. The letter spends a fair bit of time...
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