"It is time once again to invest in the core infrastructure of Minnesota," MPFF President Tom Thornberg told reporters outside Station 19 in Minneapolis.

Simply put, your 501c5 status gives your organization its "not for profit" status and is the reason you do not pay income tax on income.

The web link to the applicable IRS website to assist you in completing your filing requirements.  This link may also be found in the forms and documents section of the Affi web page.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html

The above link is the starting point for filing the 990 and lists all requirements as well as forms needed to meet your locals obligations.  

Question:  We've never had to file before, why now?

Answer:  Until three years ago, locals with revenues less than $25000.00 a year annual income were not required to file.  However they changed the requirement and instituted an online filing form for those smaller locals called a 990N.  This form is easy to complete and is found at the above listed link.  The only notice you would have received would have been a postcard outlining the change to the tax law.  I've been told that the IRS motivation for the change was a housekeeping issue to determine just who is still out there and active.

If you do not file, your local, WILL lose it's tax exempt status and all dues received from your membership will be considered taxable income. You will have to reapply to receive the status again and you may also run the risk of losing your charter with the IAFF.

Listed below is an additional link for those of you that would like to see if your local has ever filed a 990.

http://www.irs.gov/app/ePostcard/forwardToSearch.do

Simply put, an hour or so of your time filing this important document to maintain your status will save you countless hours trying to get it back not to mention potentially thousands of dollars in fees and possibly fines.

The Auction Starts Tomorrow!

The Dark Socks Classic Online Auction opens for bidding on September 3, 2010 at 8:00 AM CDT Time. This 3rd Annual Online auction will help the Muscular Dystrophy Association raise funds for research into treatments and cures for 43 different neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA's umbrella of services. We need you in 2010! You have found an exciting and fun way to help us, and at the same time have a chance to find cool items at bargain prices! Shop for you - then share the site with a friend! We'll be adding new items to our catalog regularly so check back often to see what's new. Feel free to place a Watch on your favorites, so that you'll know as soon as bidding begins and you won't miss a minute of the excitement! View All Auction Items

NEW DATE: Friday, September 17, 2010

MSP Fire Fighters Local S-6 are hosting a 1st Annual Golf Tournement benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association Friday, September 17, 2010 at Oak Glen Golf Club in Stillwater, MN. Sponsored by Sun Country Airlines, Water Park of America, Nickelodean Universe from the MOA and the Mall of America.  The 4-person scramble will begin at 1:00 pm with a shotgun start.  The $100 per golfer fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, range balls, steak dinner and a goodie bag valued at $150!  Registration deadline is Monday, September 13, 2010. 

For more information on the event or on available sponsorships go to http://twincitiesgolf.com/mspfirefighters.htm

Join with fire fighters from across Minnesota on Monday September 6, 2010 at the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Fire fighters will be answering phones and presenting checks from Fill the Boot events across the state. The final 2-3 hours of the local Minnesota broadcasts are dedicated to our local heroes - the fire fighters! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of it!

Please RSVP your attendance by August 31st to:

Duluth area Telethon:

Jen Crown jcrown@mdausa.org

Twin Cities area Telethon:

Betsey Palmgren bpalmgren@mdausa.org

Fargo/Moorhead area Telethon:

Laura Hochsprung lhochsprung@mdausa.org

For more information & locations of any of the Telethons contact

Karen Abrahamson at 952-896-6226 or kabrahamson@mdausa.org

Register now for the 2010 MPFF MALTS seminar in Saint Cloud, Minnesota on September 8 and 9, 2010 at the Best Western Kelly Inn.

Archbishop John C. Nienstedt invites you to celebrate a:

Mass of Thanksgiving & Remembrance

TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT & EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL

10 am, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010   

JOIN US AS WE COME TOGETHER TO PUBLICLY THANK ALL OF OUR CIVIC SERVANTS     WHO LOOK AFTER OUR SAFETY.

WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED THE SAFETY AND SUPPORT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL PROVIDE FOR US.

ON THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9-11 EVENTS, WE WILL RECOGNIZE AND SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND ALSO REMEMBER THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

A reception will follow the Mass

All FAITHS ARE WELCOME —— BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

For more information see the flyer below.

New Per Capita Forms for 2010-2011 are available for downloading in the Member Resource area under "Downloads".

Fire Science Degree is the only non-profit website dedicated to providing students considering a career in fire science with an unbiased and comprehensive listing of their educational options. We maintain the most comprehensive updated list of schools offering a fire science degree program organized by state so that students have a single source for links directly to the school's program so that they can make better informed decisions about which college or degree is right for them.

For more information go to:  http://www.firesciencedegree.com/

The MPFF is pleased to announce that we have added a new Team Liberty health benefit option available through the MPFF for all active and retired firefighters and their families. This new option will allow many to reduce their overall prescription benefit costs. A simple cost comparison of your current RX expenses versus those available through the new plans will quickly and easily allow you to see if this plan will work for you.

One of the most expensive health issues often involves prescription medications when one is required to take them over an extended period of time. The Team Liberty RX Plan offers access to prescription medications at substantially reduced prices. Prescriptions can be purchased via the Team Liberty RX Prescription card at almost all major pharmacies, or via their unique, unmatched Home Delivery program.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to check out the RX plan now available to you. You will find access to right now by going to http://www.enrolltlb.com/mpff . Soon you will be able to access it from the links column on the left side of our web page.

Our MPFF leadership team is always seeking opportunities for our membership that enhance quality of life, and help with life issues that affect us all. We are hopeful that you will be able to realize both through this new health benefit option.

After addressing the delegates at the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Convention on May 3 and 4, 2010, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger took time out to visit the firefighters at  the Hibbing, Minnesota fire station.  Hibbing Local #173 President said it was an honor for his Executive Board and his members to have the General President take time out to visit his local members.  A couple of pictures are posted in the main gallery area of our photo gallery in the left column.

 Police & Firemen’s Insurance Association awards 100 Scholarships every year to the children, step-children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren of police officers, firefighters and correctional officers!

You must become a PFIA member by November 1, 2010 for your kids to qualify.

Scholarship awards are $1,000 for each year, and will automatically renew each year for up to three years, for a total of $4,000, provided eligibility requirements are met.

For information on the Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association Scholarship and other programs, please contact:

DAN COTRONEO 888-808-3524 email: dan@cotroneo.net

                                                                                     www.PFIA.info