As this tax season draws to a close…

The Veterans Homes Fund could use your help.  On your California income tax return (Form 540), you have the opportunity to donate all or some of your refund to various organizations.  The CA Veteran’s Home Fund was added to income tax returns last year.  In order to remain on the return, it must generate $250,000 per year.  Otherwise, it faces the same fate as Veteran’s Quality of Life Fund which lost its place on the income tax return beginning in 2008.

Now, the Chula Vista State Veterans Home, one of the recipients of these voluntary donations, is urging Californians to allocate a portion their state refund to aid the 312 residents at its facilities and the many others Veterans at similar facilities throughout the state.  The facilities supported through this measure help provide affordable assisted living and skilled nursing care to Veterans.  Because such care is so expensive, many of the residents run out of money or can’t afford the care.  V.A. Aid and Attendance Non Service Connected Disability benefits may provide the only contribution on behalf of the Veteran.  By contributing on your tax return, you can help ensure that the Chula Vista State Veterans Home and others can continue providing advanced care at reasonable rates.

In another bright spot for Veteran Homes, Senate Bill 1505, called the “California Keep Our Promises Act,” is designed to provide additional funding for a variety of veteran programs.  Among the initiatives are to ensure that all the state administered Veteran Homes are filled to capacity and the fees to live there are decreased from the current levels.  California’s Veteran population is the largest in the nation.  Thousands of veterans are homeless each night.  The Bill calls for funding local non-profits and other organizations that will help alleviate the problem of Veteran homelessness.
However, such a bill will require funding.  S.B. 1505 currently suggests changing the California business tax to a single sales factor in order to bring in an estimated $1 billion, of which $600,000 would go to Veteran Homes.  Unfortunately, it means that out of state businesses will be required to pay substantially more in tax for doing business in California.  Voters defeated a similar measure in Proposition 24 of the November 2010 ballot.

Feelings of gratitude and patriotism are common reactions to any discussion of war-time Veterans.  This year, you can choose to show that gratitude by donating a portion of your tax refund to the Veterans Homes Fund. Of course, the best course of action for you and your family is to plan for end of life care adequately in advance.  Planning ahead to receive the benefits you will need, possibly through a QVap or QMap trust will allow you to take your future in your own hands.  If you believe you might be eligible for the VA Aid & Attendance Non Service Connected Disability Benefit, you can request a free report to help you get it right the first time.

VA Aid & Attendance–How Can I Correctly Choose Help for my Application Process?

FREE REPORT:  This complimentary report focuses on the various kinds of people one can consult when applying for the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefit. Who one chooses can mean the difference between success and failure. Remember, if you are denied, you may not be able to reapply for up to a year or longer. Download our complimentary report for a behind the scenes look at the different types of people you can consult and the dirty underbelly of the veterans aid & attendance industry.