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IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2019
WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced the tax year 2019 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2018-57 provides details about these annual adjustments. The tax year 2019 adjustments generally are used on tax returns filed in 2020.
The tax items for tax year 2019 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar amounts:
- The standard deduction for married filing jointly rises to $24,400 for tax year 2019, up $400 from the prior year. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $12,200 for 2019, up $200, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $18,350 for tax year 2019, up $350.
- The personal exemption for tax year 2019 remains at 0, as it was for 2018, this elimination of the personal exemption was a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
- For tax year 2019, the top rate is 37 percent for individual single taxpayers with incomes greater than $510,300 ($612,350 for married couples filing jointly). The other rates are:
35 percent, for incomes over $204,100 ($408,200 for married couples filing jointly);
32 percent for incomes over $160,725 ($321,450 for married couples filing jointly);
24 percent for incomes over $84,200 ($168,400 for married couples filing jointly);
22 percent for incomes over $39,475 ($78,950 for married couples filing jointly);
12 percent for incomes over $9,700 ($19,400 for married couples filing jointly).
The lowest rate is 10 percent for incomes of single individuals with incomes of $9,700 or less ($19,400 for married couples filing jointly).
For more information, click here to view the full article.
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New to TRICARE? The basics you need to know
From health.mil
 If you're new to TRICARE in 2019, welcome! You've joined 9.4 million beneficiaries who receive comprehensive health and dental coverage. You can now connect to a network of military and civilian providers worldwide. Learning about your benefit will help you make the most of your coverage and take command of your health this year.
Choose or Change TRICARE Plans
For TRICARE Prime (including the US Family Health Plan) and TRICARE Select, you may only choose or change your enrollment when you or a family member experiences a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) or during the annual TRICARE Open Season. Other TRICARE plans offer continuous open enrollment.
When making an enrollment decision, how do you know which TRICARE plans are best for you and your family? Visit the TRICARE Plan Finder to determine which plan best meets your family's needs. Remember that different family members may be eligible for different plans. You can also use the Compare Plans Tool to compare health plans side-by-side.
Find a Provider
TRICARE covers care offered by two types of TRICARE-authorized providers: network and non-network. To locate a provider, visit the TRICARE Find a Doctor Tool. Do you already know the type of provider you're looking for? You can view provider directories for each of the TRICARE regions.
Know Your Costs for Care
Depending on who you are and the plan you have, you may pay out-of-pocket costs. Use the TRICARE Compare Cost Tool to view your costs and compare them with other plans. The TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet also provides an overview of TRICARE plan costs.
Keep DEERS Updated
It's important that you keep your contact information up-to-date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Anytime you experience a change or QLE, update DEERS You have several options for updating your information in DEERS (online, phone, mail). You must keep your information updated in DEERS to remain eligible for TRICARE coverage.
Learn more about TRICARE by exploring the information and resources on its website. And stay informed by signing up to get updates from TRICARE via email.
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 Jobs and Training for Veterans
If you are a current or former U.S. service member looking for a civilian job, visit:
- CareerOneStop's Veteran and Military Transition Center for information and resources about your job search, benefits, training opportunities, and more.
- VA.gov for resources to help you explore careers, find a job, or start your own business.
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program for help with job training, employment accommodations, job-seeking skills coaching and individualized career counseling. This program also provides help for veterans who want to start their own businesses and for severely disabled vets who need assistance with independent living services.
For federal employment, visit:
If you plan to go to college or a vocational school, learn about educational benefits you may be eligible for.
Small Business Resources for Veterans
Veterans who own small businesses and vets who want to start a business or franchise can find valuable small business resources through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) links you to the tools you need to guide you every step of the way. Find information about business plans, financing opportunities, government programs, training courses, and more.
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Renew Memberships Online
At the request of our members, RAUS is pleased to provide the ability to renew their membership online and pay by credit or debit card. Just go to our website at www.raushome.com and click on the Online Dues Renewal button.
If you are considering converting to a Lifetime Membership, click on the Membership button and select Life Membership.
 
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 Keep Us Accurate
To be sure your benefits are properly recorded, please advise the association when you change your name or address. If you receive inaccurate membership cards or other correspondence, we want to know. We do not mind reissuing membership cards. |
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Scammers target Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund
From ftc.gov
April 23, 2018
Drew Johnson, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
Consumers are reporting a new impostor scam - this time the callers are pretending to be with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). According to reports, the callers are telling people they may be entitled to money, and they are asking people for their personal information to determine if they are eligible. It's a scam.
Currently, the callers are using spoofed phone numbers with New York area codes. They are asking for information ranging from Social Security numbers, mailing addresses, and bank account numbers, to medical histories and proof of whether a person worked in the 9/11 exposure zone.
If you get a random call with questions about your claim with the Victim Compensation Fund or your potential for eligibility, hang up immediately. The VCF may call you, but it will never ask for your full Social Security number. If you are uncertain whether a caller is from the VCF, hang up and call the VCF directly at 1-855-885-1555.
If you encounter a similar call, hang up and report it to the FTC. And spread the word to your friends, family, and community. It may help someone avoid a scam.
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Membership Dues
| AGE RANGE | LIFE DUES | | 40 or less | $325 | | 41 to 45 | $300 | | 46 to 50 | $275 | | 51 to 55 | $250 | | 56 to 60 | $225 | | 61 to 65 | $200 | | 66 to 70 | $175 | | 70 and up | $100 |
 Annual dues are $15 per year. Discounts apply for multiple year memberships: 3 years for $37 and 5 years for $60. Like memberships are available based on the age of the member at the time of the Life conversion. A Life Membership is exempt of dues increase and covers both the member and the spouse. |
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About RAUS
We are a non-political military association organized in 1970 to secure quality benefits for our members at rates only available to groups. Qualified retired and active members of the United States armed forces and related departments may join.
Membership benefits include discounts and perks, self-help and financial calculators, time-savings and educational resources, along with TRICARE Supplement, CHAMPVA Supplement and other insurance products.
RAUS is partnering with other organizations to establish a long term win-win relationship based on mutual benefits and information available to military families.
RAUS Eligible Defense Departments
* AIR FORCE * ARMY * MARINES * NAVY * NATIONAL GUARD *
* COAST GUARD * NOAA * CIVIL AIR PATROL *
* PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE * COASTAL & GEODETIC SURVEY *
* ACTIVE & RETIRED * OFFICERS & ENLISTED *
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Sincerely,
DONALD T. RUCK, President Retired Association for the Uniformed Services, Inc. |
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