Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant
Meeting Schedule:
Bar Finance & Accounting March 9th at 3:30 pm
Membership Meeting March 10th at 7:00 pm
SAL Meeting March 17th at 6:00 pm
Rick Hals, Commander – Greetings to all. We had a 10th District membership meeting at Post 85 in January, which was attended well. Then came February were we had the 3rd annual 2 week remodeling project. What was done was the last tile job the Dept. of Health had told us we had to do, and with a good crew it was completed. Also there was two new vanities installed in the hall bathrooms, plus both bathrooms were painted. When all that was completed all the floors were scrubbed and waxed. I want to thank all who helped in these major remodel projects. March 14th is our Corn Beef and Cabbage supper, at our next meeting we will talk about it. Until next time, remember to thank a vet for his or her service.
Orville Otterness, Post Service Officer – The meeting held by our County Veterans Service Officer at the Legion Hall February 18 included a speaker from Ecumen care center. The speaker explained the services available at their facility. The CVSO should be contacted if care is needed. If you are using the VA Medical Center for treatment and you have an emergency notify the VA immediately.
The next meeting with the CVSO will be held Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. at the Legion Hall. It is worth your time to attend as there have always been interesting and informative speakers. We always receive good information.
Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – “Why should I join the American Legion Family?” Have you ever been asked this? Do you have a quick answer? It’s a good idea to be ready to answer that question with a couple positive points about our mission. If you have an opportunity to sit down with a potential member, be prepared to share additional information. I usually share my favorite projects and their impact locally. Do you have membership applications handy, or can you tell someone where to find them? You can recruit new members for the American Legion Family and help get members to renew. It’s still the best patriotic organization today.
Jim Hunt, SAL Commander – A big “Thank You!” to all that helped to make our Winterfest omelet breakfast a great success. We couldn’t do it without you guys! Many thanks to County Market for the $50 gift card and getting all of our groceries ready for pick-up as well.
I am very happy to report that we are at 127% of our goal for this membership year! We are also at an all-time high membership of 66 members. Great job everyone! We will be having a member appreciation night July 21st. Time TBD. There will be free pizza and 2 free drink tickets for all who attend. Bring a friend, encourage them to join!
Once again we will be donating two $500.00 scholarships to students completing the “What the American Legion means to me” essay. Must have had a family member who served in the Armed Forces. Kids! Get those essays in soon!
The new floor in the Hall kitchen and bar looks great!
Glenn Pierce, Adjutant – Need help filing your taxes?
Free tax preparation sites available across Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. – With income tax season now open, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that over 200 sites will be offering free tax assistance for those filing income tax and property tax refund returns. Most sites are open through April 15.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are two free tax preparation options where volunteers help Minnesotans prepare their federal and state returns. The Internal Revenue Service certifies volunteers from both programs to prepare basic tax returns in communities across Minnesota.
“Thousands of Minnesotans are eligible for free tax preparation services or free tax preparation software this tax season,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “These free services help make filing easier and can help you accurately and securely file your income tax return and claim any refund that you may be entitled to receive.”
Last year, the VITA program prepared more than 71,000 federal tax returns, more than 75,000 Minnesota income tax returns and almost 57,000 property tax refund returns for Minnesota taxpayers. All those returns provided more than $133 million in federal, state income, and property tax refunds.
You can get help at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site if any of the following apply:
You are age 60 or older.
You are a person with a disability.
You speak limited or no English.
Your annual income is less than $56,000.
The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation for all Minnesotans, particularly those age 50 or older. Unlike VITA sites, AARP Tax-Aide sites do not have income restrictions.
Free electronic filing is also available for Minnesotans with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $69,000 or less. To see if you are eligible for free electronic filing, see the Electronic Filing Software for Individuals page on the department’s website.
You can search for a site near you on the department’s website using their search feature and interactive map. You can search for sites by zip code or county, and find sites with interpreters and volunteers certified to file military returns. The interactive map has search options by city, county, or zip code.
You will need to bring certain items with you when visiting a site such as a photo ID, W-2 information, banking information for direct deposit, and other applicable items. Visit our website for a list of suggested items to bring to a tax preparation site.
Get the latest news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for our email subscription list.
