Leave a Legacy of Hope and Healing
Thank you for your interest in learning more about how legacy gifts, put into place now, can help you provide a secure future for your loved ones and support the Mercy Ships mission well into the future. A legacy gift is a lasting investment in Mercy Ships, advancing our mission and ensuring our ability to help those in need for years to come.
For over 40 years, the heart of Mercy Ships has focused on bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. Our fleet of state-of-the-art hospital ships bring world-class healthcare and medical training to regions where clean water, reliable electricity, and medical personnel and supplies are limited or even nonexistent. Onboard our hospital ships, staffed by volunteer professionals from around the world, surgeries are performed that transform the lives of people who might otherwise face a lifetime of suffering. Tumors are removed, orthopedic conditions are corrected, sight is restored, cleft lips are repaired, and more!
We invite you to consider adding Mercy Ships to your will, leaving a legacy of hope and healing well into the future.
"You can't change the whole world. But you can change the whole world
for one person."
-Dr. Gary Parker, volunteer surgeon
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Washington News
IRS Offers Direct File Pilot Program
The initial program will be available in 12 states. The states are Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Most of the states were selected because they do not have a state income tax.
IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel was delighted with the launch of Direct File. He noted, "Direct File walks taxpayers through the complexity of the tax code. At every step it shows the work behind the calculations, so taxpayers can know it is accurate."
The initial version of Direct File has 350 screens and provides the user with multiple taxpayer examples or scenarios. The IRS states that Direct File will be available to additional taxpayers in these 12 states by the middle of March.
One concern for the IRS and tax professionals is there may be changes in the 2023 tax law. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 has not yet been passed, but Congress is attempting to create a bill that may change the rules on the 2023 Child Tax Credit. IRS officials have attempted to reassure taxpayers that the Direct File program can be quickly modified to incorporate tax changes. The IRS officials claim the program can be updated in one day to comply with potential 2023 tax changes.
Editor's Note: Many countries offer a government tax-filing solution. The Direct File program is a small and initial start to a multi-year software development process. It has started first with federal and state workers with hopes to expand to all taxpayers. In future years, the simple forms may transition to cover more complex tax returns. A major project will be the addition of over 40 state tax returns to the system. However, it now seems probable that the IRS is committed to providing this Direct File system. Eventually, it will be available to most taxpayers.
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