State tax check-off helps military families
As Massachusetts Army reservists and members of the National Guard are called to active duty, often their families are left with financial hardships. The Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund check-off on Massachusetts resident income tax forms was established last year to provide needs-based assistance to families of active soldiers.
“With the approaching tax filing date, it is important for taxpayers to be aware that they can donate directly to the [fund] on 2006 Mass. income tax forms,” said Senator Pamela Resor, one of the sponsors of the bill. “By using the tax check-off box, taxpayers can easily donate to this fund and know that the money will be used to directly help military families in need here in the Commonwealth.”
Many National Guard and Reserve soldiers earn less while on active duty than they do at their civilian jobs and some private and public employers do not make up the difference between soldiers’ military pay and their civilian pay. With more than 1,600 Massachusetts residents deployed with the National Guard or Reserves—many with extended tours of duty, some up to two years—some families are experiencing severe financial hardship.
The Friends of the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserve Families Foundation, an independent, nonprofit 501c3 corporation that works with military family services and veteran’s groups, is responsible for distributing the funds to military families based on need-based applications.
“We owe all of these individuals and their families an enormous debt of gratitude and we should step forward to assist them during their service and upon their return home,” Resor said.
For more information about the fund or to make a direct donation, please contact the Friends of National Guard and Reserve Families at P.O. Box 313 Medway, MA 02053 or info@MANGFriends.org.
