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The 2010 Edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors is now available on the Department of Veterans Affairs website: http://www1.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp If you have any questions about your benefits as a veteran or dependent, please call Congressman Scott's office at (770) 210-5073. Read More »

Today Congressman David Scott (D-GA) announced that applications for the 2010 district internship program are available in his Jonesboro and Smyrna district offices. Internships in the Office of Congressman David Scott are open to high school seniors, undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing, and recent graduates. All applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public service and excellent research and writing skills. The Internship Program is designed especially to allow students to apply lessons learned in class to a work environment, to make professional contacts a... Read More »

Today, the House passed the bipartisan Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019). This bill will provide immediate incentives for consumers who renovate their homes to become more energy-efficient. Home Star will create an estimated 168,000 American jobs in construction, manufacturing and retail and save about 3 million American families an estimated $200-500 per year on their energy bills. The reduction in energy usage will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Home Star will spur home energy renovation with two types of consumer incentives: Silver Star – This provides up-front rebates for sp... Read More »

The hombuyer's tax credit expired on April 30 for most purchasers. However, members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. An eligible taxpayer must enter into a binding contract to buy a principal residence by April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this... Read More »

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides that health coverage under an employee's children under 27 years of age is now generally tax-free to the employee, effective March 30, 2010. This expanded health care tax benefit applies to various workplace and retiree health plans. It also applies to self-employed individuals who qualify for the self-employed health insurance deduction on their federal income tax return. Employees who have children who will not have reached age 27 by the end of the year are eligible for the new tax benefit from March 30, 2010, forward, if the children a... Read More »

The Congressional Management Foundation and the Partnership for a More Perfect Union released their list of best Congressional websites. While Congressman Scott's website just received a bronze award, it must be noted that the outdated website from 2009 received that distinction. The new website unveiled in March 2010 will be reviewed later this year. The AJC reports that only two of the 15 members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation were recognized in the study. Read More »

The Council of Economic Advisors released a report that found that the Recovery Act was responsible for about 2.5 million jobs through March 2010. Half of those jobs are as a result of over $200 billion in Recovery Act tax relief and financial assistance that has gone directly to mostly lower and middle-income families. Since the Recovery Act began a little over a year ago, the economy has posted its largest quarterly GDP growth in six years and largest monthly job gains in three years. According to the IRS, tax refunds are a record $3,000 so far this year – up 10 percent – largely due to Reco... Read More »

A recent report shows that an estimated 98 percent of working families received a tax cut in 2009. For more information, read the report at: http://ctj.org/pdf/truthaboutobamataxcuts.pdf Another report found that typical middle-income families received more tax benefits in 2009. http://content.thirdway.org/publications/279/Third_Way_Memo_-_Are_You_Better_Off_On_Tax_Day.pdf Read More »

The Making Home Affordable Program has been expanded to reach more homeowners who need help with their mortgages. Many Georgians are still struggling to keep up with their payments. Congressman Scott will continue to support policies to help homeowners turn the corner. Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for help with the Making Home Affordable Program and to speak with a HUD-approved housing counselor for free. More information is available at the following link: http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/ Read More »

The facts about small businesses and health care reform: · Health care reform will help small businesses obtain health insurance. It allows small businesses with 100 employees or less to pool their risk and benefit from group rates and a greater choice of insurers. · Reform means tax credits for small businesses. Small businesses with 25 employees or less and average wages of less than $50,000 will qualify for tax credits of up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance. Reform will provide tax credits to 15,100 small businesses in Georgia's 13th District alone. · Health care reform wil... Read More »