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Military Community and Family Policy Weekly eNewsletter

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The Tax Filing Deadline Is Approaching April 17th is just around the corner. If you have not prepared your 2011 tax returns, now is the time to do so. If you are Active duty, Guard or Reserve (regardless of activation status) you can file your federal return and up to three state returns for free using the Military OneSource H&R Block at Home tool. To make the process as pain free as possible, gather all of your required documents and put them in a separate folder. If you are missing any documents, call the employers, banks or other institutions you should have received tax information from. Don't forget to make any IRA contributions for 2011 prior to April 17, 2012, even if you won't be ready to file by the deadline. What if I am not ready to file? If you are not ready to file by April 17, 2012, you can file for an automatic 180 day extension. Taxpayers who choose to use the automatic extension will need to file their return by October 15, 2012. An extension can be requested three different ways. Submit Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) electronically. If you wish to file electronically, be sure to locate a copy of last year's tax return. You will be prompted to provide the Adjusted Gross Income from the return for taxpayer verification. You can request an automatic extension of time to file your individual income tax return by paying part or all of your estimated income tax due by credit card or debit card. You may pay by phone or Internet through one of the providers listed on Form 4868. Each service provider will charge a convenience fee based on the amount of the tax payment. After completing your transaction, you will receive a confirmation number for your records. Complete the paper Form 4868 and mail it to the appropriate address provided on the form.

Are there special rules if I am a deployed service member? The IRS has provided the following information for individuals serving outside of the United States: If you are in the military or naval services on duty outside of the United States and Puerto Rico on the due date of your income tax return, you are allowed an automatic 2-month extension to June 15, 2012, to
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file your income tax return. Please note, this automatic extension is an extension to file your tax return, not an extension of time to pay any tax owed by the regular due date of the return. In such situations, interest is charged on any taxes owed from April 17, 2012 to the date the taxes are paid. You can also request an additional 4-month extension by filing Form 4868 by June 15, 2012. Be sure to check the box on Line 8-"out of the country" on the form. If you are serving in a combat zone or in a contingency operation (or are hospitalized as a result of an injury received while serving in such an area or operation), you qualify for extensions of deadlines. The deadlines for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund, and taking other actions with the IRS are extended to at least 180 days after you leave the designated combat zone or contingency operation. You may notify the IRS directly of your request for combat zone relief for extensions of deadlines through a special e-mail address: combatzone@irs.gov. When do I need to file my state taxes? Deadlines for state taxes vary bystate. Please visit the IRS.gov Business page to learn what the deadlines are for a particular state.

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Joining Forces
Joining Forces

Improving Healthcare for Military Families Medscape, the largest source of online continuing education for physicians and other health professionals, has teamed up with Joining Forces to ensure that our country's servicemembers, veterans, and military families receive the best healthcare possible. Soon after the White House released "Strengthening Our Military Families" in January 2011, Medscape began working with leading experts in military healthcare to create 10 new online education programs on topics ranging from military culture to screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and helping families connect with VA services. The free modules include links to resources from the government, warrior advocacy groups and medical associations. More than 100,000 physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers have viewed these education courses in the past year. The curriculum that Medscape has created enables community health professionals to understand and meet the needs of military families. As servicemembers return home to their communities, such preparation is imperative-only half of those eligible for VA services seek treatment there. "Approximately a quarter of the 2.4 million veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will have post -traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury," noted Dr. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, one of the experts who helped develop the Medscape curriculum. "Approximately half will seek treatment in the Veterans Health Administration. Others will seek help through their employment and college primary healthcare setting. Many others will not seek treatment at all, but may be brought to an emergency room by a family member or friend. Thus it is vitally important that all providers know the basics of recognition and treatment of the psychological effects of war." Dr. Ritchie, formerly the U.S. Army's chief psychiatrist, now serves as chief clinical officer for the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health. Educating healthcare professionals and America's families is an ongoing initiative for Medscape and the WebMD consumer health site. The goal is to make the interactions between military families and their healthcare providers as effective as possible to generate positive health outcomes. "We want to help the nation's warriors and their families receive the care they deserve, and we're proud to make this public commitment," said Ezra Ernst, the senior vice president of Medscape.

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Weekly Tips
Military Community and Family Policy Weekly Tips

Nutrition Tip of the Week - What's the USDA SuperTracker? (Part II) Last week we learned a little bit about the USDA SuperTracker and what can be done with the tool. This week we'll add a few more uses to that list. But before we do, here's a quick reminder of what the SuperTracker is - SuperTracker is an online tool where you can get a personalized nutrition and activity plan. Track what you eat and your activities to see how they stack up, and get tips and support to help you make healthy choices. See below for more information on what you can do with this new tool! Run a report. Go to My Reports to measure progress; choose from six reports that range from a simple meal summary to an in-depth analysis of food group and nutrient intakes over time. Set a goal. Explore My Top 5 Goals to choose up to five personal goals that you want to achieve. Sign up for My Coach Center to get tips and support as you work toward your goals. Track your weight. Visit My Weight Manager to enter your weight and track progress over time; compare your weight history to trends in your calorie intake and physical activity. Record a journal entry. Use My Journal to record daily events; identify triggers that may be associated with changes in your health behaviors and weight.

Parenting Tip of the Week - Safe Medicine Storage More than 60,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year because they got into medicine while their parent or caregiver was not looking. Children are curious; to keep them safe, parents and caregivers must practice safe medicine storage. Pick a place children cannot reach. Store medicines in a safe location too high for children to reach or see. Put medicines and vitamins away every time. Never leave medicines or vitamins out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child's bedside, even if you have to give the medicine again in a few hours. Listen for the click to make sure the safety cap is locked. Always relock the safety cap on a medicine bottle. If it has a locking cap that turns, twist it until you hear the click.

Let's Move/Childhood Obesity Tip of the Week - Snack Smart We are becoming a nation of grazers - one in five American meals is a snack. Snacks provide more than a quarter of the daily calories consumed by American children-that's a third more than thirty years ago. Of course, we are surrounded with an unprecedented array of tasty, convenient, and inexpensive sweet, salty, and savory snack choices. Studies have associated the national increase in obesity with the decline in the traditional three daily meals and the increase in snacking. It has been suggested that snacking may contribute to the association between obesity and TV watching among teens - two-thirds of teens watch TV while munching on mostly salty snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages. Snacking can contribute to overweight and obesity in two ways:
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First, snacks in modest amounts may not be as filling as we think - if they don't dampen hunger, snacks can simply add to daily caloric intake. Second, social and environmental cues make it very difficult to judge how much we eat when snacking. For example, studies have shown that people take more chips from a large serving bowl than they will when the same amount is presented in two smaller bowls. We are likely to eat more candies from a clear container than from an opaque one.

What about smart snacking without increasing daily caloric intake? Studies in experimental animals have shown that distributing calories among several feeding times produces less body fat than consuming the same number of calories in fewer meals. This may be why national studies show that adult snackers tend to be at lower risk to obesity-they appear to balance their daily caloric consumption between their snacks and meals. So, be smart about your snacking. The rules are simple: Be aware of how much you eat when you snack - read nutrition labels; put your serving in a bowl instead of eating from the bag; limit your snack to 100 calories (a medium apple, a medium banana, one and a half oranges, two cups of carrots, a small handful of nuts, three cups of low-fat microwave popcorn, two domino-size pieces of low-fat cheese); select 100-calorie packs. Select filling, low-calorie, nutritious snacks - fruits and vegetables are the best bets; they give the feeling of fullness while providing vitamins and other nutrients, only a few calories and no fat.

You can get quick access to the calories in snacks and other foods at SuperTracker - Food-A-Pedia website, and to ways to balance your daily calories, to eat healthy on a budget, and to develop a personal food plan at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov. Financial Tip of the Week - Top 10 Strategies for Making Tax Season Less Stressful If, on April 16 of each year, you are exhausted and stressed from filing your taxes, here are some practical strategies to implement now, so that next year's tax season is less demanding. Do Not Wait until the Last Minute Running short on time to complete your tax forms or to give your tax professional the time they need can be one of the greatest causes of stress during tax season. You will begin to receive your tax documents and Internal Revenue (IRS) forms in January. Be ready with all of your figures, deductions, expenses, and data before the tax documents arrive. Get started as soon as they arrive. Consult with Your Tax Professional If you use an accountant or tax professional, set up an appointment with them during the off-season to discuss your financial situation. They are usually too busy to see you for an in-depth consultation between January and April unless they are helping you with your tax returns. If you want to discuss strategy or get advice on capital gains, investments, or other tax topics, do it when they are less busy. Remain Aware of Tax Code Changes The IRS does not make the tax code. As the economy, environment, and life in the United States changes, the Congress has the power to change the tax code. For instance, if elected officials decide to pay more attention to energy efficiency, taxpayers may be rewarded if they become more energy efficient. These incentives can come in the form of deductions, refunds, and tax credits. Stay on top of the changes in the tax code. This section of the IRS website will bring you to the most recent changes. If you know the new laws in advance, take advantage of them in a timely fashion.
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Stay Organized How you organize documents, receipts and data you need for tax time is a personal choice. Here are a few suggestions: Save all your receipts and keep them in one place. A shoebox, binder, or file cabinet will work. Find a convenient location for your storage unit so it is easy to see. This reminds you to use it. Put receipts in categories. For example, put all your charitable contributions in one folder (or big envelope). Do this for all your deductions. Log your expenses in a notebook or spreadsheet (by category). This makes totaling numbers easier. Share the Work Do not be afraid to ask for help. If you are like many Americans, you have a box or drawer full of receipts and documents related to your income and tax deductions. Solicit the help of those your live with to sort out all these supporting materials. Ask your spouse or children to help separate receipts out according to the type and then put them in chronological order by date. If you live alone, invite someone over for a lunch or dinner and after eating, put them to work. It makes your load a little lighter and having company during tax preparation time may help ease the stress. Life Changes = Tax Benefits As your life circumstances change, tax benefits, deductions, tax credits, and filing status will change, too. Life changes and activities like selling or buying a home, losing your job, getting a divorce, getting married, moving, collecting Social Security, saving for your children's college fund, or going to college are a some of the life changes that have a direct impact on filling out your tax forms. To read more, go to the following section of the IRS website. Location, Location, Location Find a good place to work on your taxes. This means a place that has a large working surface, with room for all of your papers, good lighting, and minimal distractions. Moving your work from one area to another can be distracting and you could lose concentration. Use the IRS Website for Tax Publications Tax publications, tax forms, and tax topics are available for easy download on the IRS website. They change periodically, so stay up-to-date on new information. Most documents are dated with the current year, to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Find the topic you need at the IRS website. You can also order tax documents via regular mail from the IRS website. Do Not Forget to Call Ask general tax questions by making a phone call to the IRS. If your question is more complex, a tax expert in that subject area will have to call you back. This is a handy resource, but as April 15 approaches, the waiting time is naturally longer.

Military OneSource Tip of the Week - Preparing to Relocate Relocating can challenge you in many ways. This list may help you get organized and cope better with all of the demands of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or other move. Before You Go

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If you are moving a long distance, try to visit your new location before moving. View different attractions and amenities in your new area. If you cannot make a trip in advance, do research on the Internet.

Help Your Family Get the whole family involved. Young children can pack up their own toys. (But keep some toys, books, and games handy so children stay busy during the move.) Be sensitive to others' feelings. Moving is particularly hard on children, the elderly, and pets.

Ready to Pack Make a packing timeline. Assume that everything will take more time than you expect. Pack non -essential items first. On each box, write the contents and where they belong in your new house. Call your sanitation department to learn how to correctly dispose of large and potentially dangerous items (refrigerators, furniture, air conditioners, appliances, and household chemicals). Get packing supplies (sturdy moving boxes, packing tape, newsprint, bubble wrap, and permanent markers) in advance. Get a large folder and keep all the important papers related to your move in one place. Organization helps ease the anxiety of moving.

If possible, move your most important items, such as laptops, legal papers, and breakable art, yourself. You will be less stressed having the items with you. Spouse Tip of the Week - Cluster Industries Can Help Spouses Make Better Career Decisions Have you ever heard of "Cluster Industries?" Well, they are one of the most effective strategies for economic development in cities and regions that are reinventing themselves and thriving in today's challenging economy. Cluster industries are a group of similar or related firms that are located in a defined geographic area that share a similar market, technologies, worker skills, suppliers, and buy-seller relationships. They depend on each other to develop their products and services, and subsequently deliver them to their customers. Frequently, workers can find employment in more than one company within this "supply chain." So, when military spouses explore career fields, occupational and vocational opportunities, they should look for cluster industries that are located near military installations. One obvious choice would be the defense industry that produces and delivers services and products that the military services need. By choosing a career field and occupation that supports the defense industry, military spouses have an enhanced opportunity for portable career job opportunities that are more likely to be available when they relocate to a new duty station. Career and education counselors located at community colleges, Department of Labor Career OneStop Centers, military family centers, and Military OneSource, available at (800) 342-9647, can provide more information about how to research cluster industries in communities located near military duty stations. Relocation Tip of the Week - Tools and Resources Available for Relocation Moving and traveling for the military can be confusing to both young and experienced service and family members. Military OneSource will ensure that you make smart financial decisions, plan a smooth
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move, and receive all of your allowances and entitlements. Contact them 24-7 by phone at (800) 3429647. Use the Plan My Move calendar application to help you get organized! Your Installation Relocation Manager can help you with: determining your PCS allowances getting help with planning your move obtaining information on your new location getting access to a loan closet

Additionally, your Relocation Assistance Program managers on an installation can be accessed through Army Community Services (ACS), Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS), Navy Fleet and Family Support Services (FFSP), and the Airman and Family Readiness Centers (A&FRC). Find your Relocation Manager at MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.

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In the News
We've captured the latest Quality of Life (QOL) information, as well as recent additions to the Military Community & Family Policy (MC&FP) collection of websites, including MilitaryHOMEFRONT. All in one location! For a complete listing of QOL topic areas and information, please return to the MilitaryHOMEFRONT homepage. In the News Notable Quality of Life developments and Department of Defense announcements and alerts. Watch all Sixty-seven NCAA March Madness Games for Free! In recognition of all those who serve our great country, all sixty-seven NCAA March Madness games will be available free of charge for service members to access using a personal computer, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and select Android phones. Starting March 8, service members can pre-register with a .mil address. Registration can be completed anytime leading up to or during the tournament. Face of Defense: Guard Soldier Becomes Women's Advocate Deployments can change a soldier's life, but the prospect of a deployment may have saved the life of one central Illinois soldier. Program to Expedite Security for Troops at Reagan Airport Some service members traveling out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport soon will be able to speed through security as part of a joint Defense Department and Transportation Security Administration program. Panel Aims to Boost Support to Special-needs Families Military families with special-needs members would benefit from better communication and education, members of an exceptional family member panel concluded on March 6, 2012. NHL Team Donates $100,000 to Help TAPS Families The National Hockey League's Washington Capitals highlighted the club's ninth annual military appreciation night on March 6, 2012 with a six-figure donation to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors program. DoD Site Seeks Military Spouse Bloggers Officials are seeking established military spouse bloggers to feature on the Defense Department's Military OneSource Blog Brigade. Family First: Children Bond with Story-telling, Crafts Children of Marines with 2nd Marine Logistics Group were given the opportunity to bond with their peers and learn about their parents' jobs during a family fun day at Marston Pavilion aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3. Joining Forces Commitment Met: Chamber of Commerce Holds 100 Hiring Fairs for Veterans and Military Spouses As First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces last April, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "Hiring Our Heroes" program committed to host 100 hiring fairs across the country with the top notch companies they work with on a daily basis.

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Mrs. Dempsey Urges Spouses to Share Amazing' Stories Military spouses have amazing stories that all Americans need to hear, the wife of the nation's top military officer said on March 3. Military Family Learning Network Free Webinars Save the Date! Join the Military Family Learning Network for free webinars focusing on Child Care, Family Development, Network Literacy and Personal Finance, and more. Webinar dates and descriptions can be found on the Military Families Learning Network website.

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Guard and Reserve

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Mar. 9-10 - Army National Guard - Walla-Walla, WA Mar. 9-11 - Air National Guard - Hilo, HI Mar. 14-15 - Guard and Reserve - San Nicolas Island, CA Mar. 16-17 - Oregon National Guard - Roseburg, OR Mar. 29-31 - ANG Volunteer Training Site - Smyrna, TN

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