New Tax Law and Charitable Donations
Now is the time to make your charitable donations is order to maximize the tax benefits you may receive. If you’ve been following the development of the new tax bill you probably have heard the bill will have an impact on itemized deductions. According to the article ” Six Ways to Make the New Tax Bill Work for You“, by Ben Steverman of Bloomberg the number 1 way is to make charitable donations before the end of the year.
Most deductions, including the charitable one, can only be claimed if you itemize your tax return. The bill would sharply limit the number of taxpayers who would benefit from itemizing: First it raises the standard deduction from $6,350 to $12,000 for single people, and $12,700 to $24,000 for married couples. Second, it limits other deductions—most famously for state and local taxes—so it’s harder for taxpayers to reach the threshold where itemizing makes sense.
So, you might want to think about making several years of charitable donations this month if you can afford it, said Philip “Rusty” Ross, a financial adviser at Exencial Wealth Advisors based in Oklahoma City.
Please consider making a donation to Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. You can make donation online at http://mhafred.org/donate . If you prefer to make a donation by check please make a check out to MHAF and send it to Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1
Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Thank you
How to Alleviate Holiday Stress
Friends of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg have kindly offered their tips on how to cope with the holidays.
Linda Lafave, LPC reminds us that its important to maintain your routines, even during the busy holiday season. As well as alternatives to traditional gift giving.
- “Maintain self care, as in don’t let your exercise routine(s) go”
- “Stay committed to healthful eating”
- “Drink hot herbal teas to stay hydrated in cold weather”
- “Agreement for gift giving (monetary limit, must be consumable, must be recyclable, etc.)
- “Sponsor a family in need instead of giving gifts to friends”
Christ Carver, CNS suggests keeping things in perspective.
- “Getting rid of gift giving helps, or focusing on gifts for children only”
- “Surprise someone who needs a lift. The feeling stays with you long after the holiday”
- “Try not to idealize the time. Other people are NOT having a better time than you, despite what Facebook might portray”
- “Get out in nature or go to a movie”
Delise B. Dickard, LPC wrote “If holiday traditions stress you out, change them” for the Free Lance-Star a few years ago offering five tips on how to alleviate holiday stress. Since writing this article, Delise B. Dickard has moved to Camellia Cottage in downtown Fredericksburg and is no longer at Riverside Counseling.
- “Consider what you have to give. That’s right. Consider yourself first.”
- “If you are a parent, think of your kids and your immediate family first.”
- “Consider changing traditions to accommodate family needs.”
- “Make a plan for handling those guests who are just plain difficult to be around during the holidays.”
- “Keep in mind, the season won’t feel the same if you are facing a first holiday after a loss.”
Read the complete article with more information here.
How do you find peace during the stressful holiday season?
Stressful Days! Something is Not Right! Overwhelmed! Help!
Anyone seeking a resource for a mental health problem will find confidential assistance by calling Mental Health America’s Helpline at 540-371-2704 or by email at mhaf@mhafred.org. A staff member will read/listen to the issue, and then consult MHAF Providers List for contact information to use for an appointment with Virginia State licensed Therapists who have experience with the issue described.
The best time to contact MHAF by telephone is Monday through Friday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Confidential voice mail is always available for you to leave your contact information when staff is out of the office and your call will be returned as soon as possible the next business day.
Many individuals find Support Groups Beneficial. MHAF offers a weekly-facilitated Support Group every Tuesday evening at Snowden. What is discussed at the meetings stays there. No registration is required and there is no fee. Still others may benefit from making a call to someone who listens attentively and offers support on our Warm Line.
Please don’t “go it alone” during stressful times. Reach out!
Discuss your concerns with the MHAF HelpLine, online (mhaf@mhafred.org) or by telephone at 540-371-2704.
Mary Therese Kelly, Program Assistant
Shopping at Amazon? Use Amazon Smile to benefit MHAF
Will you be shopping at Amazon.com this holiday season? Many of us do and you can use Amazon Smile and also have a small percentage of your purchase price go to Mental Health America of Fredericksburg. There are no extra charges added to your order. MHAF benefits and you’er helping support our programs and advocacy.
- The easiest way to do this is to go to smile.amazon.com and make Mental Health America of Fredericksburg Inc as the organization you will support. From then on, every time you go to smile.amazon.com to shop your purchases will support MHAF. (I’ve got to admit that sometimes I start at amazon.com instead of smile.amazon.com, but even with items in my shopping cart, f I go to smile.amazon.com the same items are there so nothing is lost.)
- This may be just as easy one time, but not as useful for future purchases. You can use this link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0678704
You can learn more about Amazon Smile at this link https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/
Why donate to MHAF and how-to online or by check
I’ve been thinking about ways that people generously support the work of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg (MHAF). It seems a good idea to start listing them so that you can see what fits your situation. Of course, we all want to help as we can. Several years ago my wife and I decided to put the majority of our support into local programs and institutions or ones that we could verify were effective. It turned out for us, that MHAF meets both those criteria. The proceeds from every event and campaign support programs in our area. MHAF also has a great track record in working with the people it serves and with other organizations to educate, advocate, and implement cooperative programs.
#1. Direct donations online. This past year MAHF has set up a way that you can easily donate online to MHAF. Just go to http://mhafred.org/donate, pick the amount of your donation and follow the prompts. You can also designate a specific program – Senior Visitors, HelpLine, Suicide Prevention Education, Support Groups – for a donation and/or make the donation in honor of someone else. You also have the opportunity to pay the processing fee ( 3% ) MHAF has to pay to process a credit card transaction.
#2. Direct donation via check. Some people prefer to send their donation as a check to the MHAF Office. When you want to do that, make the check out to MHAF and mail it to
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Thank you!