By Tammy Munson | Leave A Comment
I got this from Congressman Carter’s office today… Come on my fellow military spouses and military spouse supporters, let get the support out for Rep. Carter’s Bill.
It is times like this I wish I was still in DC! : )
I also wanted to add that some states (like Minnesota) already have something like this in place. I want to make sure ALL Military spouses have the same privilege.
(FORT HOOD, TEXAS) – Military spouses would be able to claim the same state residency as their service member husband or wife, under legislation scheduled to be re-introduced next week in Washington by U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-TX31).
Carter’s legislation passed the House during the last session of Congress but failed to become law before Congress adjourned in December. The bill allows a military spouse who moves out of a state with their service member under military orders to have the option to claim the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse, regardless of where they are stationed.
“We have long supported service member’s ability to continue voting and paying taxes in one state over the course of a military career as they are transferred around the world on orders,” says Carter, who represents Fort Hood, the U.S. Army’s largest base. “I feel it has been an egregious oversight spanning decades that we have not extended that stability to spouses as well, as they are impacted politically and economically just as much as the service member by these frequent and career-long moves.”
WHO: U.S. Rep. John Carter with supporting House and Senate members
WHAT: Military Spouses Residency Relief Act introduction to the 111th Congress
WHEN: 11:00AM Wednesday, February 25
WHERE: U.S. Capitol (Room TBD)
ABOUT Tammy Munson
Tammy is mama to 2 daughters, and wife of 14 years to her husband, Dan. They all live in small town{read more}
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Oh, this would be awesome if it passed! It isn’t fair to the spouses who have to change everything ever 18 months to 3 years. I plan on writing my Congressman today!
Thanks for the heads up!
Toni
This would be truly awesome… I keep saying that there should be a virtual “military state” in which all military members and their families live, to make moving, paying taxes, registering cars, etc, a lot easier.
But this would be about as good. My question is about income tax… would I still pay taxes in my “home state” or would I have to pay wherever I physically lived and worked (even though I’m self-employed)?
This would be so incredible! As a military spouse of 9 years (with many more to go), this would have made so many things in the past easier. Please, please, please let this pass. I’m writing my Congressman and will pass this on to all of my military spouse friends.
I had the same question as Joyful Abode. My husband claims FL residency since that is where he was first stationed, and lucky for him, doesn’t pay state income taxes. I, on the other hand, pay income taxes to the state of Connecticut since this is where we live and work. I’d be thrilled to not pay taxes here–or at the very least, to have them re-directed to what I consider to be my “true” home state.
I appreciate your post though–I hadn’t heard about this!
Thank you Tammy for shedding light on this important subject for all military families! Rebecca and I were so close to getting the measure passed last year but it died in the Senate when the stock market crashed and we had the election with a new Congress. But fear not, we’re at it again! I’m excited to share the bill numbers with you all. Senate bill 475 and House Resolution 1182 were re-introduced on February 25th, 2009. Let’s go all the way this time!
I did want to address the tax question. The bill will allow military spouses the option to claim the same permanent state of residency as their servicemember, including for the purposes of filing taxes. If this measure passes, you will be allowed to file a joint return in one state. If you choose to become a resident of the same state as your spouse, then you can file in that one state. And just like our servicemembers, it is only for your primary source of income.
But this Act is much more than just a tax or driver’s license issue. For me, it is also a woman’s rights issue. 92% of military spouses are women. I have found that for ease of moving around, military wives have put all of their assets in their husband’s name. That leaves many women who have rightly earned their own property to be quite exposed.
This Act is also one of fairness. The country acknowledged the difficulties associated with multiple relocations in the 1940s when they passed the original Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Clearly, the life of a military spouse has changed since the 1940s. We are asking that the law be brought up to date and include military spouses in the protection afforded by the SCRA.
So please, pick up the phone, write a letter or an email, and contact your U.S. representatives in Congress. Ask them to co-sponsor the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. Let them know how this will impact your life or the life of someone you care for. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. This little measure has far reaching benefits for military families.
Rebecca and I cannot do this alone. We seriously need your help. I am always happy to answer any questions.
Joanna
This would be fantastic! I’m self-employed and we are having to file taxes for me in 3 states for 2008 because of our military moves. It would be amazing to get to file jointly with my husband in our “home” state. I will definitely be posting about this and writing my congressman.
Don’t forget to join the coalition on facebook! The address is: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1012014257047#/pages/Military-Spouses-Residency-Relief-Act/51457362877?ref=nf
We love to hear your stories and pass them on to the Congressmen and Senators offices when we meet.
Thank you for your support and for standing up for your rights!