By Dean Lemke
MnSF-Metro Region member

Minnesota Senior Federation member, you are a winner!

For years we, and many other groups, have pushed the federal government to eliminate the Spanish American War tax on long-distance telephone calls. In August of last year the IRS declared the tax invalid after 107 years.

What it means to you is two-fold. Last September the IRS stopped collecting the 3 percent tax on long-distance calls. You probably didn't even notice it. Secondly, on this year's tax return you can claim a refund on whatever long-distance tax you paid since March, 2003. If you saved your telephone bill receipts you need IRS form 8913 (usually available at your library or other tax form place) to list the amounts you paid. If you don't have phone bill receipts (41 months), the standard deduction starts at $30 and goes up to $60, depending on dependents you claimed. Thus the average couple would get $40. IRS  Commissioner Mark Evenson said,  "We believe the standard amounts are both reasonable and fair. We based refund amounts on telephone usage data and the standard amounts reflect averages for households of different sizes. On the 1040 EZ it is line 9, the 1040A it is line 42 and on the 1040 line  71.

You won't be rich, but can celebrate our victory in the Spanish-American War.

For those of you who do not have to file a federal tax return a special form has been created, Form 1040EZ-T. It should be available at your library or any place you can pick up IRS forms. If you can't find it, call the Federation and we will send you one.