Announcements:

Governor Matt Blunt Signed HB444 into law on July 5th, 2007, at a local retirement/care home, in Springfield, Mo. This Bill will phase in starting tax year 2007 at 20% for Retired Seniors 62 years of age and older from sources other than privately funded pensions, that are included in the federal adjusted gross income amount. 1) "Benefits", any Social Security benefits received by a taxpayer age 62 years of age and older, or Social Security disability benefits; 2) "Taxpayer", any resident individual. This bill will not reach 100% of Social Security Benefits until 2012. If your income exceeds the amount set for your filing status the maximum deduction will be reduced by one dollar for every dollar your income exceeds the ceiling for your filing status. Qualified health insurance premiums providing health care coverage for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents, if included in the taxpayers federal adjusted gross income to the exent the premium is included in federal taxable income. The taxpayer shall provide the department of revenue with proof of the amount of qualified health insurance premiums paid. Also added to HB 444 starting in 2008 each individual or corporation entitled to a tax refund in 2008 may designate a donation, $1.00 for single filer or more, and $2.00 or more for a combined return. The contribution designation authorized shall be clearly and unambiguously printed on the first page of each income tax return form provided by this state. If any individual or corporation that is not entitled to a tax refund in an amount sufficient to make a designation under this section wishes to make a contribution to the after-school retreat reading and assessment grant program fund, such individual or corporation may, by separate check, draft, or other negotiable instrument send in with the payment of taxes, or may send in separately, that amount, clearly designated for the after-school retreat reading and assessment grant program fund, the indiviodual or corporation wishes to contribute. The Department of revenue shall deposit such amount to the after-school retreat reading and assessment grant program fund as provided in subsection 2 of this section. Monies deposited in the after-school retreat reading and assessment grant program fund shall be distributed by the department of elementary and secondary education in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 167.680, RSMo. This bill will sunset 6 years after August 28, 2007, unless reauthorized, by an act of the general assembly; and If such program is reauthorized, the program authorized under this section shall automatically sunset twelve years after the effective date of the reauthorization of this section; This section shall terminate on December thirty-first of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the program authorized under this section is sunset. NEW CHAPTER FORMING. The Association of Retired Missouri State Employees (ARMSE) will conduct a meeting July 18th, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., at the Nevada Library, 212 West Walnut, Nevada, MO. Please enter at the Walnut St. door. Our goal is to promote better economic welfare for all Missouri State Retirees, regardless of the Department they retired from, and all Missouri State Employees. Ardent action and support by ARMSE was critical in getting the Missouri Social Security tax cut for all retirees over the age of 65 in 2007. We hope someone will step up and want to lead a chapter in Nevada. Nancy Bloom was the prior President. Refreshments will be furnished. Information: Don Mosley ARMSE SECRETARY, 3334 GARRISON AVE., JOPLIN, MO. 64804, PHONE: 417-781-8461. e-mail dayraymos@joplin.com ARMSE, P.O. Box 11, Jefferson City , MO. 65102 phone 877-942-7673 Web Site: WWW.ARMSE.ORG