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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, November 07, 2017 7:20 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - November 7, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> <br>Dear Fellow Federationists:<br> <br>Thank you for all of your calls and emails regarding the elimination of the increased standard deduction for blind people. I have received several questions regarding the purpose and scope of the standard deduction for the blind. In an effort to send out the information, my previous Legislative Alert over simplified some of the math. Here is some additional detail. <br> <br>Beginning in the 1940s, as a result of NFB’s advocacy, the IRS has included an increased standard deduction for blind people compared to non-blind people. This deduction reduces one’s taxable income and the corresponding amount of taxes a blind person has to pay. In 2017, the standard deduction for a non-blind person filing as single is $6,350 and the standard deduction for a blind person filing as single is $7,900, an increase of $1,550. As far as the effect this deduction has on how much in taxes one would have to pay, that depends on one’s individual tax situation.<br> <br>The deduction is not intended to pay for a specific item, but all of the extra items that blind people have to pay for to live the lives we want. This could be anything from transportation to guide dog supplies.<br> <br>Please continue to make your calls and send your emails. The best way to contact your member of Congress is to call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for the office in question. Emailing your member of Congress is also a good idea. If you do so, please copy me at <a href="mailto:JPare@nfb.org">JPare@nfb.org</a>.<br>Warm regards,<br> <br>John<br> <br> <br>John G. Paré Jr. <br>Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy<br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | <a href="mailto:Jpare@nfb.org">Jpare@nfb.org</a><br> <br> <br><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=209 height=76 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171107201900.0908e510@visi.com.4" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><br> <br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171107201900.0908e510@visi.com.5" alt=Facebook></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171107201900.0908e510@visi.com.6" alt=Twitter></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20171107201900.0908e510@visi.com.7" alt=Youtube></span></a><br> <br>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <br> <br> <br><br><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>