Bill would make all military pay tax-free

Army Times | March 22, 2007 | Rick Maze

[Non-Sequitur]

I did. So did a lot of other young enlisted members. That is why retention is/was in the toilet.

A career in the military isn't for everyone and I suggest that if you're in it for the money then you're in it for the wrong reasons. I think military pay is fair. On the one hand, considering what we ask them to sacrifice, we can never really pay them what they're worth. On the other hand they deserve a living wage and decent benefits. And they get them.

[fireforeffect]

Both my grandfathers served in the Army. My Mother's father served for over 40 years (1900 to 1946, with a break in there somewhere) and two World Wars.

Up until sometime during the 30's NO federal employee paid income taxes BUT they were not allowed to vote either.

I for one could live with that (when on active duty) because it would prevent the billions of civilian federal employees from voting. Just part of the service.

[Almondjoy]

Interesting.

Except I would classify their job as like one of someone who works for McDonalds or sells Insurance.

Would you?

[Non-Sequitur]

Would you?

No.

[BuffaloJack]

Our people in uniform make such little money for the service they perform, giving them all tax free status on their pay is a wonderful consideration. The military has a difficult enough time competing for people in the public sector. This provides another incentive to join.
I fully endorse this proposal.

[Piquaboy]

States like mine will not quit the taxing of military pay.

[thebaron512]

I agree and wished that it was like that when I was in the Navy. I bet retention rates will improve with this move, but there are several reasons of military life that are just dumb which will not improve the rate that much.

[Always Independent]

You got to be careful here. There are a number of non military gov't employees based in IRAQ and other countries. The next thing you know is that all gov't employees will want the same deal. Next you'll have State and locals wanting it too.

[Steel Wolf]

You got to be careful here. There are a number of non military gov't employees based in IRAQ and other countries. The next thing you know is that all gov't employees will want the same deal. Next you'll have State and locals wanting it too.

Good, because the next step after that is the real prize. ;-)

[going hot]

well,

dems may actually support it

Then later, they can extend it,

Retroactive, to ALL govt employees, you know, like themselves.

[art_rocks]

Officer pay in combat used to be tax free for the first $500. It has changed to be tax free for the amount equivalent to the SGM of the army pay, so about 6500. So LTC and higer are the only officers to pay some tax.

[RFEngineer]

ah....separating the military from the rest of taxpaying America.

Bad idea, in my opinion. The "citizen soldier" concept should never be too far removed in the minds of each military member - the potential ramifications of this idea are significant and troubling.

[cherry]

I have all the respect in the world for our military, but its a volunteer military and it has been shown that the pay and benefits equals and usually exceeds equal civilian work......

the military is a job.....PAY YOUR OWN TAXES.....

is it getting to be that our military will be simply requarded as mercenaries rather than patriots?

[cherry]

again....it has been shown over the last several years that what the "poor" civil servants get paid as well as our military...except perhaps pilots and top notch engineers.....is usually better than equal civilian work.....

of course, feel free to dump your tax obligation on me....eveyone else does...

[Mr.Unique]

Culberson said the bill, HR 1559, which he is calling the Armed Forces Tax Relief Act, “will allow soldiers to concentrate on defending America, rather than worrying about paying their taxes.”

I don't worry about paying my taxes (well...maybe a little). I worry about filing my taxes. Any law will probably require some massive form and accountant and a lawyer anyway.

[cherry]

when my husband was in in the 70's, we got housing breaks, use of the commissary which saved us big bucks, as well as all the other facilities on base and we saved more money then proportionately than anytime in our lives.....I worked, too.....

not to mention the GI bill and the fact that he was able to attend college classes in the evening instead of working at his station....

the 5 yrs that he served actually set us up for life......and he was enlisted so he didn't bring home a ton of money but it all worked out well for us......

[VeniVidiVici]

A smallish city here in FL (pop ~100K) starts at $36,000 for cops.

Your KC recruit could move.

There is only one Army.

[John D]

Let me guess, you never served did you?

[Mr.Unique]

I have all the respect in the world for our military, but its a volunteer military and it has been shown that the pay and benefits equals and usually exceeds equal civilian work......

Where has that been shown? I'd say it's debatable. It depends on the job and area.

Still, I don't know of any job that requires the hardships that military service does.

FWIW, I don't do it for the pay.

[VeniVidiVici]

There are a number of non military gov't employees based in IRAQ and other countries. The next thing you know is that all gov't employees will want the same deal. Next you'll have State and locals wanting it too

I beieve civilian employees overseas get the first $75k tax exempt. Does the gov't do that?