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Membership
News
by Sarah Wigser
 SWO-STC
is a membership drive achiever. We achieved 8.28% growth since June
30, 2004. That means we’re second in our size category of
151 to 300 members.
Welcome
SWO-STC would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new,
reinstated, and transfer members:
- Andrea Altenburg
- Andrea Dorsten
- Christopher
Drew
- Kaylene Botsford
Schwab
Deduct
Your STC Dues
Keep in mind that STC dues are tax deductible. Please note, however,
that dues must be deducted from the tax return filed for the year
in which they were paid. In other words, dues paid in 2004 may be
deducted only from 2004 tax returns.
You can claim
dues as a deduction in several ways: as a charitable expense, a
business expense, or a miscellaneous deduction.
Charitable
Expense
All STC members who pay taxes in the United States can deduct at
least a portion of their STC dues if they claim this portion as
a charitable donation. IRS publications 526 (rev. 2003) and 17 define
this option: You may be able to deduct membership fees or dues you
pay to a qualified organization. However, you can deduct only the
amount that is more than the value of the benefits you receive.
As a 501(c)(3)
organization, STC is a qualified organization. To determine the
amount of charitable contribution you may claim, subtract the cost
of tangible benefits you receive from STC from the amount of dues
you paid in 2004. STC’s tangible benefits can be estimated
at $30 per year: $15 for the Society’s quarterly journal,
Technical Communication, and $15 for the magazine, Intercom.
For 2004
Dues
For most members, 2004 dues are $140. However, some members received
prorated credit, based on the month they joined STC, that decreased
their dues.
Business
Expense
Employers and self-employed consultants may claim the full amount
of dues as a business expense.
Miscellaneous
Deduction
Those who do not fall into the categories defined above may claim
the amount of dues as a miscellaneous deduction. (For miscellaneous
deductions to affect taxes, the total amount of miscellaneous deductions
must exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income).
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