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Alaskan Congressman Don Young signed on as a cosponsor today to H.R. 953, the Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009.  This piece of legislation will allow veterans to receive up to $400 in tax deductions for travel expenses when traveling to a VA health facility for treatment.   

“This is a very important bill for Alaska,” said Rep. Young.  “As it currently stands, veterans can be reimbursed only for car mileage and they barely receive a decent rate for that.  However, in a state like Alaska, a veteran is more likely to fly to the health facility than drive, and many times are referred to the Seattle VA hospital.  That’s where these new provisions come into play.  The mode of transportation a vet has to take should not matter, as long as they are receiving the care they need.  This bill will also allow vets to be reimbursed for costs associated with travel such as lodging and food.  This is a good, sound bill that aids our nation’s veterans, and provides them with better access to quality health care, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

According to the stipulations set in H.R. 953, to qualify for this reimbursement:

·      The U.S. Military veteran must live more than 25 miles from the nearest VA Medical Center where they receive treatment.

·      The reason for travel must be for treatment, examination, or surgery, related to a service connected disability.

·      The veteran’s yearly income shall not exceed $75,000 or $150,000 per family.

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