Indiana House Republicans seek tax breaks for soldiers

INDIANAPOLIS -- Active duty soldiers and more veterans from Indiana would receive new tax relief and other benefits under a series of proposals presented Tuesday by Indiana House Republicans.\n"The sacrifices made by Hoosier troops currently serving, Hoosier veterans and all of their military families should never leave our thoughts," said House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis.\nHe was joined by about a dozen House members, candidates and members of veterans groups at the USS Indianapolis Memorial in announcing the legislative proposals. Other Republicans did the same at other locations around the state.\nRepublicans control the House 52-48, but as usual in recent years, the chamber is considered up for grabs in the November election.\nThe proposals include:\n--Exempting from the state income tax all military income of Indiana reservists and National Guard personnel who are actively deployed. They now get a $2,000 exemption for their military pay.\n--Increasing from $2,000 to $5,000 the amount of military pay that active-duty military personnel from Indiana are allowed to exempt from state income tax.\n--Extending eligibility in the newly created military relief fund to all active military personnel from Indiana, besides reservists and Guard soldiers. The fund is designed to provide financial relief to the families of serving soldiers.