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US Airmen Facing Tax Devastation in Germany Will Get Help from Air Force's Enlisted Leader
Military.com ^ | 1 Dec 2022 | Jennifer H Svan and John Vandiver

Posted on 12/02/2021 5:04:13 AM PST by USAF1985

The U.S. Air Force's top enlisted leader, after getting bombarded with pleas for help from military community members fighting the German government's attempts to tax their pay, said Wednesday she will advocate for the affected airmen and their families.

For more than a year, the U.S. military in Europe and the American embassy in Berlin have made no tangible progress on resolving a dispute that has forced some to pay six-figure amounts in German income taxes and penalties, even after they've had their military income taxed by the United States. At issue is a disagreement over how to interpret the Status of Forces Agreement, which is designed to put military pay off limits to foreign tax collectors. "It was pretty concerning to hear some of the stories," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass during a stop at Ramstein Air Base, part of her first official visit to Germany since assuming her role in August 2020. More at Link

It's a diplomatic issue, Bass said, but "any hardship to our airmen is disappointing to all of us, so we really have to get to the root of the matter and do our best to help influence the Department of State and the German government to come to a resolution to help families."

(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: germany; military; taxes
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To: hardspunned

“I think Trump would have left NATO had the coup not occurred. We’re finally safe from the Warsaw Pact threat after 30 years. Bring them home now.”

He was certainly leaning that way. Would have been awesome. NATO has lived long past it’s expiration date. What a useless money pit.

Why are we still stationed all over Europe??? Bring them all home!


21 posted on 12/02/2021 6:34:19 AM PST by Basket_of_Deplorables (Convention Of States is our only hope now! Desantis 2024!!!)
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To: USAF1985
German government's attempts to tax their pay

Somebody's gotta help pay for the one million muslim military-aged men's welfare-for-life that the government welcomed in.

22 posted on 12/02/2021 6:38:00 AM PST by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
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To: UNGN

agreed.

And maybe send the krauts a $5 million dollar bill for every soldier who ever was present in Germany as a security fee.


23 posted on 12/02/2021 6:50:28 AM PST by Manuel OKelley
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To: the_individual2014

Like what? Harassing Russia on behalf of the criminal Ukrainians? At least he can do something to help Americans.


24 posted on 12/02/2021 6:52:11 AM PST by billakay
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To: USAF1985
I actually have first-hand info on this subject. This topic came up when I lived in Germany and the situation is...the Germans used to send pilots and soldiers to the U.S. to train. Prob. still do and the IRS tagged them and made them pay for their time (income) in the U.S. The German government reciprocated...took the laws, translated them into German almost verbatim and applied them.

That is what this is. If only the state department or anyone in government was competent, it wouldn't be an issue. Have to side with the krauts in this one!

25 posted on 12/02/2021 6:53:36 AM PST by gr8eman (When you're bought and paid for by commies...you're a commie!)
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To: Mr.Unique

But Austin has discussed it with his counterpart in Germany so everyone can be assured it will be taken care of - SOME DAY! He did a swell job in Afghanistan..


26 posted on 12/02/2021 7:17:33 AM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: USAF1985

Remove all US forces immediately.


27 posted on 12/02/2021 7:26:45 AM PST by Kozak (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. TV)
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To: billakay

FU. The “criminal” Ukrainians just want their independence from the damn Russians who have been their tormenters for 500 years.
ESAD.


28 posted on 12/02/2021 7:47:49 AM PST by Kozak (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. TV)
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To: USAF1985
Most of my NATO support work has been at SHAPE. The civilians that work there live a pretty plush life with respect to income and taxes. Belgium plays by different rules. I had a software delivery at Ramstein in Nov 1992. It was a pretty quick delivery, so there was time to enjoy dinner in K-Town (Kaiserslautern). There is a large enough American community there to support their own high school. The trip was too brief to get a full appreciation of the details of life there. Next stop was Izmir, Turkey.
29 posted on 12/02/2021 7:57:36 AM PST by Myrddin
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To: USAF1985

This needs to be from someone of much higher rank than a Chief Master Sergeant.


30 posted on 12/02/2021 9:27:34 AM PST by libertylover (Our biggest problem, by far, is that most of the media is hate & agenda driven, not truth driven.)
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To: jeffc
How many airmen make enough to pay 6 figures in taxes?

I was thinking that too. It says he's married to a German and the high taxes come from combining their incomes.

31 posted on 12/02/2021 9:29:17 AM PST by libertylover (Our biggest problem, by far, is that most of the media is hate & agenda driven, not truth driven.)
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To: Mr.Unique
It's not just an E-9. It's the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the CSAF's Senior Enlisted Advisor.

But when talking to a any 22-year-old 2nd lieutenant, every sentence must include the word "sir" or the word "mam". She just does not have the clout gravitas for this problem.

32 posted on 12/02/2021 9:38:50 AM PST by libertylover (Our biggest problem, by far, is that most of the media is hate & agenda driven, not truth driven.)
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To: Kozak

Why does everyone want to support the Ukrainians so much? Is it pure Russophobia, or what? The USA should be standing WITH Russia against the Ukrainian fascists.


33 posted on 12/02/2021 5:57:28 PM PST by billakay
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To: billakay

The Ukrainian fascists are a fringe group like the KKK in the USA. The current Ukrainian government is of the “Servant of the people “ party which is libertarian.

What makes you think it is fascist?


34 posted on 12/12/2021 6:52:26 AM PST by Cronos ( One cannot desire freedom from the Cross, especially when one is especially chosen for the cross)
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