Panorama February 1, 2019

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Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards – 2016 Best Newspaper in the Navy

64th year, No. 4

Friday, February 1, 2019

Roundup of NSA Naples January Town Hall Meeting From Naval Support Activity Public Affairs

Capt. Todd Abrahamson, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples briefed community members at the base’s January 22 town hall meeting. Personnel from NSA Naples, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, DoDEA schools, and Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia presented information regarding the transition to tax free fuel cards from coupons, changes to naval hospitals overseas, Fleet and Family services available to all community members, and school academic programs. Capt. Abrahamson fielded the following questions regarding NSA Naples operations and services: Q. What happens if a gas station does not accept the new tax free fuel card? TOWN HALL MEETING

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Official Explains Federal Tax Changes for Military, Spouses Capt. Todd Abrahamson, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples briefed community members at the base’s January 22 town hall meeting at the movie theater onboard Support Site. Photo by Gary Nichols

USO’s Taste of Home Nights a Big Hit From USO Naples

USO hosted its popular Taste of Home Nights, which served up yummy and beloved classic casserole-style dishes for single and unaccompanied service members at U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Galley “La Cucina” January 24, 2019. Photo courtesy of USO Naples.

Wholesome and nutritious casserole dishes, friendly faces and great giveaways were the key ingredients to the success of the USO’s Taste of Home Nights January 24, 2019. This much-appreciated program for single and unaccompanied service members hosted by USO Naples and widely supported by the entire NSA Naples community has been delivering homecooked meals, fellowship and goodwill for the past decade. “Year after year, this program continues to be successful, thanks to the tremendous support that USO receives from the NSA Naples Community,” USO Area Operations Manager Luisa Mazzella said. “USO wouldn’t be able to host so many programs without the support of the community, and for this one in particular, our donors play a fundamental role, by sharing their favorite dishes.” The USO’s Taste of Home night, hosted at the U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Gal-

ley “La Cucina,” provides service members with a feeling of being closer to home, thanks to serving up yummy and beloved classic casserole-style dishes. Sailors are genuinely excited and grateful for the variety of foods and support they receive from the community. This month’s Taste of Home Night, was made even more special with the giveaway of five Monster Chairs (retail value of $200) that five lucky service members happily took home. “Seeing so many happy faces, watching them build camaraderie, and seeing them thank our volunteers for such wonderful opportunities, is definitely a great sign that this program continues to be successful,” Mazzella added. USO Naples is always looking for volunteer who are available and willing to support programs like the popular Taste of Home Nights program. To find out more about the USO’s upcoming events or to gather additional information on our Taste of Home programs, please email lmazzella@uso.org or call the USO at DSN 626-5713 or 629-4903. CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2

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6 0% EXERCISE CUTLASS EXPRESS 2019 BEGINS . . . . . . . . . page 6

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By Jim Garamone

Most service members and their families will see a reduction in their tax bills this year, but there are a number of changes in U.S. federal tax laws that they need to be aware of, Army Lt. Col. Dave Dulaney, the executive director of the Pentagon’s Armed Forces Tax Council, said. “The last tax year has been quite exciting with all the changes that were made,” Dulaney said. He noted that the Internal Revenue Service will start accepting tax returns January 28 for tax year 2018. A number of pieces of legislation affect military taxpayers, he said: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act and the CombatInjured Veterans Tax Fairness Act are just a few. Tax Cuts for Troops The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will mean that most service members will see a reduction in federal taxes for 2018, he said. There is an overall reduction of 3 percent for most military families under this act, Dulaney said, in addition, the standard deduction doubled, as did the Child Tax Credit. “Because of these three things, most of our military families are going to see a substantial reduction in overall tax liability,” he said. TAX CHANGES

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