SSA Eagle Fund Appeal 2017

[Frank Whiteley]

ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING

Although the new tax legislation maintains the itemized charitable deduction; because the size of the standard deduction is doubled it will significantly reduce the number of taxpayers who itemize. This will effectively eliminate the income tax charitable deduction for those affected. If you are among this group, accelerating your 2018 Eagle Fund giving into 2017 could benefit you*; especially if your expected itemized deductions in 2018 are in the following ranges:
• Married filing jointly: $12,700 to $24,000
• Single: $6,350 to $12,000

Additionally, even if you will still itemize, lower marginal tax rates in 2018 mean a greater tax benefit for deductions made in 2017 vs 2018.

The SSA greatly appreciates the annual support of it members though the Eagle Fund; and we also want you to get the maximum benefit from your generosity.

Facebook users can make an immediate donation online at https://www.facebook.com/donate/2000432820171967/

If you do not participate on Facebook, donations may be made via the SSA Store at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=103&title=Eagle-Fund-

You may also call the office @ 575-392-1177 to donate via credit card or mail your check to:
SSA Eagle Fund
PO Box 2100
Hobbs, NM 88241-2100

For more information or questions contact us at or call Denise Layton @ 575-392-1177

Thank you very much for your support.

* The SSA cannot provide individual tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor to determine how the tax laws may apply to your donation.

[2G]

On Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 12:03:42 PM UTC-8, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING
>
> Although the new tax legislation maintains the itemized charitable deduction; because the size of the standard deduction is doubled it will significantly reduce the number of taxpayers who itemize. This will effectively eliminate the income tax charitable deduction for those affected. If you are among this group, accelerating your 2018 Eagle Fund giving into 2017 could benefit you*; especially if your expected itemized deductions in 2018 are in the following ranges:
> • Married filing jointly: $12,700 to $24,000
> • Single: $6,350 to $12,000
>
> Additionally, even if you will still itemize, lower marginal tax rates in 2018 mean a greater tax benefit for deductions made in 2017 vs 2018.
>
> The SSA greatly appreciates the annual support of it members though the Eagle Fund; and we also want you to get the maximum benefit from your generosity.
>
> Facebook users can make an immediate donation online at https://www.facebook.com/donate/2000432820171967/
>
> If you do not participate on Facebook, donations may be made via the SSA Store at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=103&title=Eagle-Fund-
>
> You may also call the office @ 575-392-1177 to donate via credit card or mail your check to:
> SSA Eagle Fund
> PO Box 2100
> Hobbs, NM 88241-2100
>
> For more information or questions contact us at or call Denise Layton @ 575-392-1177
>
> Thank you very much for your support.
>
> * The SSA cannot provide individual tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor to determine how the tax laws may apply to your donation.

One strategy is to donate all or some portion of the tax cut you will receive next year before the end of this year (pay it forward). If you have already donated this year (to whatever charity) this would amount to doubling up this year. The only disadvantage is charities estimate donations (for budgeting purposes) based on last year's donations. But that is their problem. Bottom line: I am considering doing this myself.

Tom

[[email protected]]

Gee, I was worried about what to do with my tax "windfall," but I think I will just go wild and buy a package of the Double Thick Oreos instead of the standard skinny ones. Trying to make a living selling glider equipment doesn't exactly make me spend a lot of time deciding between a Ventus 3 and a JS-3. If I suddenly get wealthy enough to donate to charity, it will probably five bucks to the guy at the intersection with the cardboard sign. But only if there aren't any misspelled words.

[2G]

On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 7:25:30 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> Gee, I was worried about what to do with my tax "windfall," but I think I will just go wild and buy a package of the Double Thick Oreos instead of the standard skinny ones. Trying to make a living selling glider equipment doesn't exactly make me spend a lot of time deciding between a Ventus 3 and a JS-3. If I suddenly get wealthy enough to donate to charity, it will probably five bucks to the guy at the intersection with the cardboard sign. But only if there aren't any misspelled words.

Oh, I see we have yet ANOTHER tax cut "denier." I challenge you to take your last tax return and see how much your savings will be using any one of a number of tax calculators such as https://www.calcxml.com/calculators/trump-tax-reform-calculator. If you are REALLY brave, report back to us with the results! BTW, my personal tax cut is about $2,700.

Tom

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 8:43:13 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 7:25:30 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> > Gee, I was worried about what to do with my tax "windfall," but I think I will just go wild and buy a package of the Double Thick Oreos instead of the standard skinny ones. Trying to make a living selling glider equipment doesn't exactly make me spend a lot of time deciding between a Ventus 3 and a JS-3. If I suddenly get wealthy enough to donate to charity, it will probably five bucks to the guy at the intersection with the cardboard sign. But only if there aren't any misspelled words.
>
> Oh, I see we have yet ANOTHER tax cut "denier." I challenge you to take your last tax return and see how much your savings will be using any one of a number of tax calculators such as https://www.calcxml.com/calculators/trump-tax-reform-calculator. If you are REALLY brave, report back to us with the results! BTW, my personal tax cut is about $2,700.
>
> Tom

Run it in California Tom - or New York, or New Jersey. The loss in the SALT deduction more than offsets the lower rates, slightly higher brackets, or the standard deduction if you don't have mortgage interest to deduct. It doesn't take much calculating to figure out where a 2.4% drop in the top marginal rate is overwhelmed by a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, which today is effectively a 4-5% tax rebate (even more if you pay property taxes). My taxes are going up a lot.

[[email protected]]

Not "denying" the tax cut. I just don't make enough for any tax cut to have much of an effect on my bottom line.

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 4:39:38 AM UTC-5, Andy Blackburn wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 8:43:13 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> > On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 7:25:30 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> > > Gee, I was worried about what to do with my tax "windfall," but I think I will just go wild and buy a package of the Double Thick Oreos instead of the standard skinny ones. Trying to make a living selling glider equipment doesn't exactly make me spend a lot of time deciding between a Ventus 3 and a JS-3. If I suddenly get wealthy enough to donate to charity, it will probably five bucks to the guy at the intersection with the cardboard sign. But only if there aren't any misspelled words.
> >
> > Oh, I see we have yet ANOTHER tax cut "denier." I challenge you to take your last tax return and see how much your savings will be using any one of a number of tax calculators such as https://www.calcxml.com/calculators/trump-tax-reform-calculator. If you are REALLY brave, report back to us with the results! BTW, my personal tax cut is about $2,700.
> >
> > Tom
>
> Run it in California Tom - or New York, or New Jersey. The loss in the SALT deduction more than offsets the lower rates, slightly higher brackets, or the standard deduction if you don't have mortgage interest to deduct. It doesn't take much calculating to figure out where a 2.4% drop in the top marginal rate is overwhelmed by a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, which today is effectively a 4-5% tax rebate (even more if you pay property taxes). My taxes are going up a lot.

Same here.
UH

[MNLou]

Gents - sorry to contribute to the thread drift but if we evaluate the tax bill based on the minor affects it has on our middle class taxes, we took the "head fake". The tragedy of this tax bill is the huge transfer of wealth to the top wage earners and the rich.

Lou

[[email protected]]

"The tragedy of this tax bill is the huge transfer of wealth to the top wage earners and the rich."

I never got a job from a homeless person.

[Retting]

Hey.....put a trailer vent in it......no crying ..... the man is asking for support to the Eagle fund.
Give $100, claim $1000. Nobody checks.

R

CPA

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 11:21:17 AM UTC-5, Retting wrote:
> Hey.....put a trailer vent in it......no crying ..... the man is asking for support to the Eagle fund.
> Give $100, claim $1000. Nobody checks.
>
> R
>
> CPA

Maybe do it because it is the right thing to do and makes you feel good doing good. That's what I did.
Better reason than tax strategy in my view.
UH

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

Excellent point - I just gave. Hopefully the AMT doesn't get me, but it's a good cause regardless.

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 8:21:17 AM UTC-8, Retting wrote:
> Hey.....put a trailer vent in it......no crying ..... the man is asking for support to the Eagle fund.
> Give $100, claim $1000. Nobody checks.
>
> R
>
> CPA

[2G]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 1:39:38 AM UTC-8, Andy Blackburn wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 8:43:13 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> > On Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at 7:25:30 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> > > Gee, I was worried about what to do with my tax "windfall," but I think I will just go wild and buy a package of the Double Thick Oreos instead of the standard skinny ones. Trying to make a living selling glider equipment doesn't exactly make me spend a lot of time deciding between a Ventus 3 and a JS-3. If I suddenly get wealthy enough to donate to charity, it will probably five bucks to the guy at the intersection with the cardboard sign. But only if there aren't any misspelled words.
> >
> > Oh, I see we have yet ANOTHER tax cut "denier." I challenge you to take your last tax return and see how much your savings will be using any one of a number of tax calculators such as https://www.calcxml.com/calculators/trump-tax-reform-calculator. If you are REALLY brave, report back to us with the results! BTW, my personal tax cut is about $2,700.
> >
> > Tom
>
> Run it in California Tom - or New York, or New Jersey. The loss in the SALT deduction more than offsets the lower rates, slightly higher brackets, or the standard deduction if you don't have mortgage interest to deduct. It doesn't take much calculating to figure out where a 2.4% drop in the top marginal rate is overwhelmed by a $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction, which today is effectively a 4-5% tax rebate (even more if you pay property taxes). My taxes are going up a lot.

Andy,

NINETY FIVE PERCENT of Americans are getting a tax cut. If you are in the 5% group and are a wealthy person living in those states you mention: GOOD LUCK! You will pay for your tax increase thru your wealth gains.

[2G]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 5:24:36 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> Not "denying" the tax cut. I just don't make enough for any tax cut to have much of an effect on my bottom line.

Here's hoping that your customers, who are getting a tax cut, will buy more of your products. And I AM being serious!

Tom

[2G]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 8:21:17 AM UTC-8, Retting wrote:
> Hey.....put a trailer vent in it......no crying ..... the man is asking for support to the Eagle fund.
> Give $100, claim $1000. Nobody checks.
>
> R
>
> CPA

You ARE a "CPA?" Hope not, you could get your license revoked. Friends, DON'T cheat on your taxes; we are all well off enough that we can do it legally. I am surprised that I even have to write this...

Tom

[[email protected]]

"Don't cheat on your taxes" geesh, what have we got here internet police? I keep every dang dollar I can from those money grubbing federalists! They get enough from me already. And if you think the new tax deal is a shamm, let me ask you, when is the last time you heard any administration trying to ease up on our tax burden? You HAVE'NT untill Trump got in there!

While you cry that you think only the "rich" are getting a break, you might want to take a look at how our economy is finally getting going and your 401k is once again worth something after 8 years of stagnation!

Viva la Trumpmeister!

[2G]

On Friday, December 29, 2017 at 7:12:29 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> "Don't cheat on your taxes" geesh, what have we got here internet police? I keep every dang dollar I can from those money grubbing federalists! They get enough from me already. And if you think the new tax deal is a shamm, let me ask you, when is the last time you heard any administration trying to ease up on our tax burden? You HAVE'NT untill Trump got in there!
>
> While you cry that you think only the "rich" are getting a break, you might want to take a look at how our economy is finally getting going and your 401k is once again worth something after 8 years of stagnation!
>
> Viva la Trumpmeister!

Sure, you bet. Why don't you include your SSN while you're at it.

Tom

[[email protected]]

Economic Theory is like Meteorology or Astrology.

Dreams with numbers.

[[email protected]]

"social security number...."

LOL Good one Tom, I've been known to be paranoid over other issues like the FAA's slow but sure incrimental restrictions of our freedom to fly. But in this case, I'm not loosing any sleep worrying about an IRS audit. They've already taken a small fortune from me in regulat taxation over the years.

Getting back to the thread topic, I'd like to encourage folks to donate to the Eagle Fund. Or better yet, donate your time and money to support at least one youth thru solo. I donate my instruction to any young person wishing to learn. I also am just about finished restoring a vintage 2-22 for use free of charge in youth instruction. Now don't any of you hold your nose at the venerable 2-22. Many a soaring champion got their start in the lead sled. And I can make a pretty good argument that in the long run its a better trainer in many respects than a Grob, and its sure dirt cheap to insure, maintain, and operate.

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

On Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 6:26:21 AM UTC-6, wrote:
> I also am just about finished restoring a vintage 2-22 for use free of charge in youth instruction. Now don't any of you hold your nose at the venerable 2-22. Many a soaring champion got their start in the lead sled.

Dan, we affectionately refer to our 2-22 as either The Thermic Piglet or Sir Launched A Lot.

Steve Leonard

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

On Friday, December 29, 2017 at 5:17:48 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> Andy,
>
> NINETY FIVE PERCENT of Americans are getting a tax cut. If you are in the 5% group and are a wealthy person living in those states you mention: GOOD LUCK! You will pay for your tax increase thru your wealth gains.

Thanks for the ALL CAPS reply!

I ran the investment return numbers too - it'll take an additional low-to-mid-double-digit run up in asset values for me to break even on the higher tax rates over 20 years. I'm all for a lower corporate rate, BTW - they just should have paid for a bit more of it by reducing the corporate tax preferences. Low rates with low preferences would make investment decisions swing to the US just as well, but wouldn't run the deficit up. If If they's done that they could have dropped a couple more points of each tax bracket on the personal side to cover the elimination of deductions better. You can't make everybody whole, because there is too much state-to-state variation, but it would have made more sense from a policy perspective.I guess I can always move to Nevada or Washington like all the other tax avoiders. Sigh.

[Dave Nadler]

On Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 3:03:42 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING

Went to the SSA Eagle Fund page here: http://www.ssa.org/Default.asp?content=3078
Clicked on "make a donation to the Eagle Fund online here"
Got a page with "Eagle Fund - 0 thru 0 of 0 items - Nothing Matching Your Criteria" at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/search.cgi?terms=Eagle_Fund::&category=Eagle_Fund

WTF???

[Renny[_2_]]

On Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 7:30:00 PM UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 3:03:42 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> > ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING
>
> Went to the SSA Eagle Fund page here: http://www.ssa.org/Default.asp?content=3078
> Clicked on "make a donation to the Eagle Fund online here"
> Got a page with "Eagle Fund - 0 thru 0 of 0 items - Nothing Matching Your Criteria" at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/search.cgi?terms=Eagle_Fund::&category=Eagle_Fund
>
> WTF???

Dave,
Hmmm...Try this....

http://store.ssa.org/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=103&title=Eagle-Fund-

Thanks - Renny

[2G]

On Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 4:49:50 PM UTC-8, Andy Blackburn wrote:
> On Friday, December 29, 2017 at 5:17:48 PM UTC-8, 2G wrote:
> > Andy,
> >
> > NINETY FIVE PERCENT of Americans are getting a tax cut. If you are in the 5% group and are a wealthy person living in those states you mention: GOOD LUCK! You will pay for your tax increase thru your wealth gains.
>
> Thanks for the ALL CAPS reply!
>
> I ran the investment return numbers too - it'll take an additional low-to-mid-double-digit run up in asset values for me to break even on the higher tax rates over 20 years. I'm all for a lower corporate rate, BTW - they just should have paid for a bit more of it by reducing the corporate tax preferences. Low rates with low preferences would make investment decisions swing to the US just as well, but wouldn't run the deficit up. If If they's done that they could have dropped a couple more points of each tax bracket on the personal side to cover the elimination of deductions better. You can't make everybody whole, because there is too much state-to-state variation, but it would have made more sense from a policy perspective.I guess I can always move to Nevada or Washington like all the other tax avoiders. Sigh.

Tax reform is, at best, a messy process because of all of the special interests. You guys in high tax states are getting screwed over twice; first by the state and second by tax reform. The first is your choice of where to live. Second is by the Democrats boycotting the tax reform process. Politics work by trading votes for goodies, and Democrats weren't willing to provide any votes. Moving IS an option, and people are doing it. I ran into a newly retired school teacher that had just moved to Nevada from CA for that purpose, but was fervent supporter of all of its liberal policies (obviously not enough to pay for them).

My advice was clearly intended to the vast majority that will be getting a tax cut. I wouldn't be at all surprised if those that aren't getting a tax cut reduce charitable giving by way of compensation. That is a personal decision that I won't argue with.

Tom

[Frank Whiteley]

On Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 7:30:00 PM UTC-7, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 3:03:42 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> > ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING
>
> Went to the SSA Eagle Fund page here: http://www.ssa.org/Default.asp?content=3078
> Clicked on "make a donation to the Eagle Fund online here"
> Got a page with "Eagle Fund - 0 thru 0 of 0 items - Nothing Matching Your Criteria" at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/search.cgi?terms=Eagle_Fund::&category=Eagle_Fund
>
> WTF???

http://store.ssa.org/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=103&title=Eagle-Fund-

We'll have to fix that other link.

[Andy Blackburn[_3_]]

The Eagle Fund Facebook page is not showing as much support as I would have expected.

Tom's donating a big chunk of his tax break and I gave despite not getting a Christmas present from Congress. (Okay, I'm kinda giving them the finger a little bit too).

How about you other glider-guiders? A couple of tows worth would be nice - more would be even nicer.

Happy New Year!

Andy Blackburn

[John Godfrey (QT)[_2_]]

On Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 9:30:00 PM UTC-5, Dave Nadler wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 3:03:42 PM UTC-5, Frank Whiteley wrote:
> > ACT BEFORE DEC 31 TO INCREASE THE TAX BENEFITS OF YOUR CHARITABLE GIVING
>
> Went to the SSA Eagle Fund page here: http://www.ssa.org/Default.asp?content=3078
> Clicked on "make a donation to the Eagle Fund online here"
> Got a page with "Eagle Fund - 0 thru 0 of 0 items - Nothing Matching Your Criteria" at http://store.ssa.org/cgi/search.cgi?terms=Eagle_Fund::&category=Eagle_Fund
>
> WTF???

Dave,

Unfortunately the 2015 Eagle Fund SSA web page was not updated. Please note that donations made through the SSA store incur processing fees on the SSA end, whereas donating through Facebook does not incur any fees.

I cobbled together the final week of 2017 online campaign to try and inform and create one easy path for folks to donate at the last minute. Sorry if your mileage varied.

Many thanks to all who support the SSA programs through the Eagle Fund. If you made an online donation and want to further direct it to a specific program, please send us an email at mylegacy at ssa dot org.

Special kudos to Andy for taking SALT in wound to donate :)

QT