On November 8 the State Tax Inspectorate under the ministry of Finance issued information that the major part of financial support that Lithuania's population dedicated from the personal income tax of 2015 is committed to the Lithuanian Armed Forces (slightly over EUR 201 thousand will be transferred this year).
"Let me express my genuine gratitude to everyone who committed or donated their resources to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. It means more than just financial support to us, it means that the Lithuanian society backs the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Which is of utmost importance for both, us, soldiers, and the country," Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas said.
All financial donations from Lithuanian people are transferred to a fund supervised by the Chief of Defence. Public information on the decisions to use donations of this year will be released in a while.
In 2014 the part of the personal income tax Lithuanian citizens donated to the Lithuanian Armed Forces was used to acquire 30 tactical vests for members of the Lithuanian Rapid Response Force. The funds donated in 2015 allowed buying filters for infrared reflections to weapon sights which improves operational efficiency during the dark part of the day or in poor visibility conditions.
Last year 6924 people of Lithuania committed a part of their personal income tax of 2014 tax period to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, in total, approx. EUR 278 thousand, and correspondingly 977 persons , the total of roughly EUR 39 thousand, for 2013 tax period - in 2014.
Natural and legal persons donated approx. EUR 22 thousand to the Lithuanian Armed Forces last year. The funds were used to improve military welfare facilities at the Lithuanian Navy and three Land Force battalions (King Mindaugas Hussar, Birutė Uhlan, and Kęstutis Motorised Infantry Battalions), and also for treatment and rehabilitation of one injured soldier.
Natural persons and legal entities can support the Lithuanian Armed Forces by committing target financial support to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Ministry of National Defence, General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, and Vytautas the Great War Museum.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Phone: 00370 5 278 5091, 00370 682 25359, e-mail: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
