In the Military
For and about Hawaii's servicemen and women
Gregg K. Kakesako
See also: For Your Benefit
Deployed military can
defer state tax returnMembers of the military, including National Guard and reservists called to active duty during the current Iraqi crisis and the war on terrorism, can set aside filing their Hawaii income tax returns until after they leave the combat zone, the state tax office says.
The tax office says combat pay is excluded from Hawaii taxes and that a person serving in a combat zone has up to 180 days to file his or her income taxes. No income tax is owed if a service member dies in combat.
Members of the military, including National Guard and reservists, who are not in a combat zone also qualify for limited tax relief. The Tax Department says their taxes can be deferred if their ability to pay is affected by their military service. Interest is limited to a maximum of 6 percent per year instead of the 8 percent usually charged.
For additional information, call 587-4242 or toll-free 800-222-3229.
>>>><<<< The Defense News reported Monday that Gen. Jack Keane, the U.S. Army's vice chief of staff, has declined to take over for Gen. Eric Shinseki, who will retire in July. Keane told Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld he will pass on the job for personal reasons. Keane's promotion as head of the Army was announced last year.
>>>><<<< The Coast Guard cutter Walnut remains on call in the Persian Gulf to be available for jobs such as checking passing vessels for weapons, re-equipping other military ships and refueling a tugboat carrying Iraqi civilians, the Baltimore Sun reported on April 5.In January the 50-member crew of the 225-foot Walnut, which is based in Hawaii, was told it was needed in the Persian Gulf to help with cleaning up any oil spills.
The cutter carries no planes, bombs or missiles, but it has a large crane that can lift up to 40,000 pounds, as well as buoys and lines that can corral anything floating on water, including oil.
The Walnut left Honolulu on Jan. 18 and arrived in the Persian Gulf in the first week of March, stopping in Guam and Singapore along the way.
Moving up
>> Fort Shafter: Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Farley relieved Command Sgt. Maj. Jackie Cunningham as the top noncommissioned officer in U.S. Army Pacific.
"In the Military" was compiled from wire reports and other
sources by reporter Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for
the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. He can be reached can be reached by phone
at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.