The Foreign Service Journal, February 2010

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 0 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 73 A F S A N E W S tax. State sales tax was 6.5 percent in the last quarter of 2009; rates are updated quarterly. Local taxes may increase the total to 9.5 percent. WEST VIRGINIA: If under age 65, there is a $2,000 pension exclusion. If 65 years or older, you may apply for an ad- ditional exclusion of up to $8,000 (single filers) or $16,000 (joint filers) of income received from any source. WISCONSIN: Pensions and annuities are fully taxable. Those age 65 or over may take two personal deductions total- ing $950. Benefits received from a fed- eral retirement system account establish- ed before Dec. 31, 1963, are not taxable. Starting in Tax Year 2008, Wisconsin no longer taxes Social Security benefits in- cluded in Federal AdjustedGross Income. For TaxYear 2009, those over 65 and with a FAGI of less than $15,000 (single filers) or $30,000 (joint filers) may take a $5,000 deduction on income from federal retire- ment systems or IRAs. State sales tax is 5 percent; most counties charge an extra 0.5 percent. WYOMING: No personal income tax. State sales tax is 4 percent. Local taxes may increase the total to 6 percent. ❏ The AFSA Tax Guide is also available at www.afsa.org/news. AFSA NEWS BRIEFS DACOR BACON HOUSE FOUNDATION Dreyfus Fellowship Awards 2010-2011 The Dreyfus Fellowship Awards provide scholarships for children and grandchil- dren of Foreign Service officers to study at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn., and at Yale University. The deadline for applications is March 12. Hotchkiss will select one qualified, enrolled student for a $5,000 scholarship. Applicants should contact the Director of Financial Aid at Hotchkiss directly: Director of Financial Aid The Hotchkiss School P.O. Box 800 Lakeville CT 06039 Awards to Yale students (undergraduate up to $5,000; graduate up to $10,000), based on merit, will be made by the DACOR Bacon House Foundation in consulta- tion with Yale University. To apply for a Yale scholarship, please send the following items to: DACOR Bacon House Foundation Attn: William C. Hamilton 1801 F Street NW Washington DC 20006 • A copy of parent’s most recent FS appointment • A brief letter of interest • A resumé • A copy of applicant’s most recent transcript • A one-page statement of academic goals. For more information, please contact Ms. Caroline L. Conway, Program Coordina- tor, at (202) 682-0500, ext. 17, or prog.coord@dacorbacon.org . TRANSITION CENTER SCHEDULE OF COURSES for February-March Feb. 1-2 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Feb. 5 MQ950 High-Stress Assignment Out-Brief Feb. 6 MQ914 Youth Security Overseas Seminar Feb. 6 MQ802 Communicating Across Cultures Feb. 8-9 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar Feb. 11 MQ703 Post Options for Employment and Training Feb. 17 MQ117 Tax Seminar Feb. 20 MQ116 Protocol Feb. 22-25 RV101 Retirement Planning Seminar Feb. 24 MQ220 Going Overseas Logistics for Adults Feb. 25-26 MQ104 Regulations, Allowances and Finances March 1-2 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar March.2 MQ115 Explaining America March 5 MQ950 High-Stress Assignment Out-Brief March 5 MQ803 Realities of Foreign Service Life March 8-9 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar March 10 MQ704 Targeting the Job Market March 10 MQ801 Maintaining Long-Distance Relationships March 17-18 MQ107 English Teaching Seminar March 22-23 MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar March 27 MQ200 Going Overseas Without Children March 27 MQ210 Going Overseas for Families March 27 MQ220 Going Overseas Logistics for Adults March 27 MQ230 Going Overseas Logistics for Children March 31 MQ852 Personal Finance and Investment To register or for further information, e-mail the FSI Transition Center at FSITCTraining@state.gov . Correction: The January FCS VP Voice column by Keith Curtis included a “placeholder” estimate that inadver- tentlymade it appear as if this year’s lo- cality pay increase is worth $999 to the typical member. His intent was to compare AFSA benefits, such as the push for overseas comparability pay, to the relatively low cost of AFSA mem- bership. However, due to the wide range of salary grades among AFSA members, as well as other factors such as hardship differential, there is no sim- ple way to calculate the “average”value of the raise. Officers may make their own calculations based onWashington locality pay (24.22 percent for 2010). AFSA membership dues range from $86.70 to $370.55 annually, depending on FS grade. We regret any confusion.