[Nfbc-info] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - November 7, 2017

[Shannon Dillon]

Please see the information from John Pare below.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2017 20:19:33 -0600
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - November 7, 2017
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org


Dear Fellow Federationists:

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.

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.

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.

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
<mailto:JPare at nfb.org>JPare at nfb.org.
Warm regards,

John


John G. Paré Jr.
Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | <mailto:Jpare at nfb.org>Jpare at nfb.org


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-- 
SHANNON L. DILLON