November 8, 2007

Guess Who's One of Only Six States To Fully Tax Military Pensions

Carroll Andrew Morse

In discussing an Ohio proposal to exempt military pensions from the state income tax, the Toledo Blade names Rhode Island as one of only five states imposing an income tax on military pensions…

With one of its members now on military duty and another about to return to Iraq, [the Ohio House] suddenly fast-tracked a proposal - just in time for Veteran's Day - affecting nearly 39,000 military retirees that has languished in the chamber for months.

Ohio is one of just five states imposing income taxes on pensions earned from military service. The bill now heads to the Senate….

Only Ohio, California, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Nebraska still tax at least some portion of military pensions.

…but I don't think the Blade story has it quite right.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Rhode Island is one of six states (the five listed above, plus Minnesota) allowing no exemption at all for income received in the form of a military pension. There are 12 states that fully exempt military pensions from their income taxes, another 21 that exempt at least some portion of military pensions, 2 that have some form of general income exemption for retirees, and 9 states that have no income tax to be exempted from.

In some way, shape or form, Rhode Island should get with the 33 states exempting at least some portion of military pensions from the state income tax. It would be the very least we could do as a community to help take care of the soldiers and sailors who've volunteered to help protect our country.

Comments, although monitored, are not necessarily representative of the views Anchor Rising's contributors or approved by them. We reserve the right to delete or modify comments for any reason.

No way would the military-hating Newport bluebloods go for that. They need that tax money to pay for the social programs that allow them to sleep at night thinking they're improving people's lives.

Posted by: Greg at November 8, 2007 12:06 PM

Dear Greg,

Do you live here??

Do you know anyone from here??

Can you name a "miltary hating blue blood"??

Can you please describe Newport's historical relationship with the Navy??

Posted by: Bobby Oliveira at November 8, 2007 12:16 PM

Hey Bobby, How many of those McMansions are missing a kid because they're in Iraq???

I don't have to answer to you, you drunk, union-loving, General Assembly suck-up.

Screw.

Posted by: Greg at November 8, 2007 2:23 PM

Dear Greg,

1. I'm surprised you didn't know this: The GOP candidate for Rep. in District 75 is a former JAG lawyer. We also just lost a Newporter last week.

2. I haven't had a drink since September 23rd, 2002. (one day at a time) Please update your files accordingly.

3. If I were you, especially the way things have been going lately, I'd get used to me. You presented stuff that is far from factual. I'd like to see you at least try to explain where you're coming from.

Posted by: Bobby Oliveira at November 8, 2007 2:28 PM

Even on a bad day Greg can make me smile.

BO, remember your on probation.

Posted by: Red at November 8, 2007 2:44 PM

Bobby,

I feel no obligation to explain squat to you at any time for any reason. You're only here because someone didn't properly restrict your IP addresses. Don't get comfy.

Posted by: Greg at November 8, 2007 3:05 PM

I suggest that as long as the GA taxes military pensions all state and municipal pensions from RI be taxed REGARDLESS of the "retiree" moving to Florida. Call it the "Rats Deserting A Sinking Ship Act Of 2008"
Like welfare for illegals, another issue 80% of the people will support and the Democrats will have to go on record against.

Posted by: Mike at November 8, 2007 5:37 PM

"I suggest that as long as the GA taxes military pensions all state and municipal pensions from RI be taxed REGARDLESS of the "retiree" moving to Florida."

Funny, I'd been thinking about that, Mike. I'd go one further. Residency requirement for state and local pensions: you don't collect unless you reside and pay taxes in Rhode Island.

People are leaving because it is more expensive here due to property taxes and other serious but FIXABLE tax climate problems. If they were forced to stay and pay with the rest of us, there would be more resistance to the recurring poor decisions which have created our bad tax and business climate and more of an impetus for change.

Posted by: Monique at November 9, 2007 6:20 AM

Over the last couple of years I ran into the Governor twice and asked him why we are only 1 of a very few States that taxes military pensions. He said we can't afford it. Well, in two years when my son is in college, bub bye. I'm going where they respect a military career with actions and not words.

Posted by: Beetle Bailey Retired at November 11, 2007 11:54 PM
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