The Foreign Service Journal, January 2008

70 F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L / J A NU A R Y 2 0 0 8 A F S A N E W S CLASSIFIEDS A FSAmembership dues have been raised according to the AFSA bylaws by 2.3 percent across all membership categories. This increase reflects the 3rd-quarter Consumer Price Index published onOct. 20, 2007, by the Department of Labor, and used by the Social Security Administration to calcu- late the 2008 Cost of Living Adjustment increases. The new dues rates took effect on Jan. 1, 2008. Members paying dues via pay- roll deduction and annuity deductionwill see a small, automatic increase in the amount deducted from their paychecks and annuities. Members who pay annu- allywill be billed the new rate on their reg- ularly scheduled renewal date. Member- ship dues account for approximately 75 percent of AFSA’s total income. This rev- enue provides the association with a sta- ble and predictable income source, which allows AFSA to continue offering excel- lent member services and benefits. The box below indicates the newdues rates for 2008. Rates for Active-Duty Members CATEGORY NEW ANNUAL NEW BIWEEKLY FS 7, 8, 9 $82.75 $3.20 FS 6, 5, 4 $156.45 $6.00 FS 1, 2, 3 $273.40 $10.50 SFS $353.60 $13.60 Rates for Retiree Members CATEGORY NEW ANNUAL NEW BIWEEKLY ANNUITY UNDER $25,000 $63.70 $5.30 ANNUITY OF $25,000-50,000 $95.40 $7.95 ANNUITY OF $50,000-75,000 $127.50 $10.60 ANNUITY OVER $75,000 $159.55 $13.30 RETIREE SPOUSE $50.00 $4.15 Rates for Associate Members ASSOCIATE $98.05 RETIREE ASSOCIATE $60.00 2008 AFSA Dues Rates TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TAXRETURNPREPA- RATION: Thirty-five years in public tax prac- tice. Arthur A. Granberg, EA, ATA, ATP. Our charges are $85 per hour. Most FS returns take 3 to 4 hours. Our office is 100 feet from Virginia Square Metro Station. Tax Matters Associates PC, 3601 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: (703) 522-3828. Fax: (703) 522-5726. E-mail: aag8686@aol.com ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA • U.S. income tax services • Practiced before the IRS F IRST C ONSULTATION F REE 1091 Chaddwyck Dr. Athens, GA 30606 Tel/Fax: (706) 769-8976 E-mail: RSHEARDCPA@bellsouth.net WWW . ROLANDSHEARDCPA . COM VIRGINIAM. TEST, CPA: Tax service spe- cializing in Foreign Service/overseas con- tractors. Contact info: Tel : (804) 695-2939. Fax: (804) 695-2958. E-mail: vtest@aol.com ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SER- VICE OFFICER: Extensive experience with tax problems unique to the Foreign Service. Available for consultation, tax planning and preparation of returns: M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. 307Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. E-mail: mbhirshorn@boringandpilger.com FREE TAX CONSULTATION : For over- seas personnel. We process returns as received, without delay. Preparation and rep- resentation by Enrolled Agents. Federal and all states prepared. Includes “TAX TRAX” unique mini-financial planning reviewwith rec- ommendations. Full planning available. Get the most from your financial dollar! Financial Forecasts Inc., Barry B. De Marr, CFP, EA, 3918 Prosperity Ave. #230, Fairfax, VA 22031 Tel: (703) 289-1167. Fax: (703) 289-1178. E-mail: finfore@aol.com MERRITT APPRAISALS, LLC Professional Personal Property Appraiser Practice focuses on appraisals for insur- ance coverage, estate taxes, charitable donations and equitable distribution. Also provides assistance with valuation and dis- position of moderate-to-high-value person- al properties. Accredited Member : American Society of Appraisers and International Society of Appraisers Tel: (703) 379-8615 E-mail: merrittapprais@aol.com