March 20-26 is jam-packed with fun activities for both adults and kids at the Shelby County Public Library for the county schools’ spring break.

A Master Gardeners’ spring workshop, an Irish roots genealogy class, and creative crafts for toddlers to teens are scheduled.

Special adult events this week include The Book Group @The Bookmark meeting at noon Tuesday at the café at 9 Public Square to discuss “The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit” by Michael Finkel; Finding Your Irish Roots workshop at 7 pm Wednesday in the library Annex; an essential oils and bracelet craft meeting at 2 and 6 pm Thursday in the Annex; and the Shelby County Master Gardeners’ Spring Into Gardening workshop from noon to 4 pm Saturday at the Velma Wortman Morristown Branch, 127 E. Main St., where they will sharpen tools, conduct planting and gardening mini-classes, and offer craft workshops for all ages, while library staff conduct the Seed Swap in the library’s vault.

Youth Services librarians have outdone themselves at Morristown and Shelbyville, with extra craft times for elementary-age students, more storytimes at both branches, teen crafts and a Dungeons & Dragons adventure, plus a brand-new Babies/Toddlers Play Time at 10 am on Friday. Youth activities are too numerous to list here. Simply check out the Spring Break Fun Page on the Shelby County Public Library’s website: https://www.myshelbylibrary.org/spring-break-fun to find detailed times, explanations, and locations.

Please call if you have any questions: for Shelbyville: 317-398-7121; for Morristown: 765-818-1718.

The Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E & B Paving LLC. announces a lane closure on U.S. 52 over the Big Blue River near Morristown. 

Beginning on or after Monday, April 3, crews will close the west bound lane on U.S. 52 for a bridge replacement project. There will be a temporary signal in place throughout the reconstruction of the bridge starting with the westbound lane. The signal will allow westbound traffic to cross the the bridge on the eastbound lanes.

Once crews finish the west bound lane they will switch to the eastbound lane to complete the reconstruction.

The bridge reconstruction project will be completed mid-November, weather depending. 

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 The Indiana Department of Transportation announces repaving and patch work on U.S. 52.

Beginning on or after Tuesday, crews will start patching U.S. 52 from I-465 to Morristown in the eastbound lane. This operation is a rolling lane closure in the eastbound lane only. There will be width restrictions at the patching location.

This work is expected to be complete at the beginning of April. 

In celebration of National Reading Month, the Blue River Community Foundation is offering a 1:1 match on gifts of any amount up to $1,000 made to the Shelby County Imagination Library Fund during March, according to the foundation’s newsletter.

This fund supports the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Shelby County and provides children age 0-5 an opportunity to have books delivered to their homes each month.

The program is free for each registered child; DPIL covers the cost of the books and the fund held at BRCF covers the cost of shipping and handling.

Although a gift of $25 covers the cost for one child for one year, a gift of any amount is welcome and will be matched up to $1,000.

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Two of Shelbyville's mayoral candidates have upcoming town halls.

Brad Ridgeway, Republican candidate for mayor, will host a meeting at VFW - Post 2695 on Tuesday, March 21, 6 - 8 p.m.

VFW - Post 2695 is at 1622 East SR 44.  It's behind Studio 10 Cinemas.

Republican candidate David Finkel has similar town hall events coming up on March 29 and April 13.

The event on March 29 is scheduled for at 6:30 p.m. at Intelliplex, at 2154 Intelliplex Dr.

On April 13, Finkel will host a town hall at Queens Catering, 223 S Harrison St, at 6:30 p.m. 

All members of the public are invited to attend the candidates town halls.

Ridgeway, Finkel and Scott Furgeson are Republican candidates for mayor on the primary ballot.

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Legal Aid will have a free Legal Aid Phone Clinic today for residents of its eight-county district.

The district includes Shelby, Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Rush counties. 

The Legal Aid Clinic and Pro Bono Program utilizes local volunteer attorneys, offering free legal consultations to low-income individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford an attorney.

Individuals calling to the Legal Aid Phone Clinic can expect to receive a brief consultation to answer general and eviction questions, offer legal information, or to receive other limited pro se assistance or advice, over the phone.

Individuals seeking legal consultation must register by calling Legal Aid at 812-378-0358 today between noon and 2 p.m. A volunteer attorney will return calls to registered individuals between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Individuals must be available between 3-5:30 p.m. to answer a call from an attorney.

Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 12, and the American Red Cross Indiana Region reminds everyone to turn your clocks forward one hour and test your smoke alarms.

Did you know working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half? That’s why it’s critical to “Turn and Test” and take these lifesaving steps to stay safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows where to meet.
• Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

If you are interested in a free smoke alarm installation, click here.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app by searching for “American Red Cross” in app stores.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year and most of them are home fires. To help prevent fire-related deaths and injuries, the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries. 

Recently, with support from thousands of community partners, the campaign met its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country. So far, the Home Fire Campaign is credited with saving more than 1,583 lives in the U.S. Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services across the country

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) proudly announces students have been selected to advance to the National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) State Contest after a successful South region contest Saturday.

The contest included students from Brown, Monroe, Perry, Shelby and Washington counties. Among the South Region finalists under the category of Senior Individual Exhibit is Aleah Heineman of Triton Central with "The Fox Sisters."

Also, under the category of Senior Paper is "Henrietta Lacks and the Broken Medical Frontiers: Where Should Medical Decisions and Ethics Coincide?" by Laureyn Wendte.
Approximately 70 students took part in Saturday’s contest, with finalists advancing to the 2023 NHDI State Contest on April 22 at Marian University in Indianapolis.
NHDI is a yearlong program dedicated to enhancing history education in Indiana's schools. Students in grades 4-12 explore a historical subject that fits under the annual theme.

This year’s theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.” Students use their research to create a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. To reach the 2023 NHDI State Contest to be held at Marian University on April 22, students must qualify at one of six regional contests.
NHDI is a project-based, inquiry-based program which encourages students to explore their own passions by conducting research, developing research questions, and then exhibit their individual learning styles through the creation of exhibits, documentaries, performances, papers and websites.

The BRCF Community Grant cycle is open

Interest forms are due March 15. Applications are due: April 1.

Applicants can find the full list of grant policies and guidelines for BRCF community grants by visiting www.blueriverfoundation.com/apply-for-grants

During this grant cycle, BRCF welcomes proposals addressing a broad range of initiatives and opportunities to serve the community. We encourage and give preference to the following:

- New or innovative programs that serve a broad spectrum of community members

- Projects that strive to serve/engage underserved populations

- Collaborative projects across various disciplines

- Projects that are impactful and transformational

- Programs that show sustainability

- Grant funds will clearly help the group or organization pursue strategic plan objectives that advance their long term institutional vitality and/or program quality

Volunteer child advocates from across Indiana will gather at the Statehouse on March 7 for CASA Day.

A CASA — or Court Appointed Special Advocate — devotes time to supporting abused and neglected children whose families are involved with the child welfare system.

On CASA Day, advocates will have the chance to interact with legislators and talk about the importance of best interest advocacy for abused and neglected children. They will hear from Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Judge Dana Kenworthy, former foster youth, and others about how CASAs help these children with the issues they face.

The event takes place in the North Atrium, 2nd floor, noon to 1 p.m. 

There are GAL/CASA programs serving 88 Indiana counties, and in 2022 they advocated on behalf of 20,091 children in the justice system.

Trisler Construction, a contractor for the Shelby County Highway Department, will be closing S 275 W between South Smithland Road and W 450 S on Monday to replace a culvert.

The last address accessible from the north is 3927 S 275 W. There are no addresses between the culvert being replaced and W 450 S.

Depending upon weather conditions the culvert on Edinburgh Road that has been closed since Dec. 20 should be open for traffic by the end of the day Friday.

The Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) is a support program for eligible Hoosiers who have experienced hardship from income loss.

Administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), the IHAF has helped more than 3,500 eligible applicants and disbursed more than $40 million through the program to date.

"As the time for annual property assessments approaches, it is important for Hoosiers to know that IHAF can possibly pay for delinquent and future property charge fees, including property taxes," said Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Homeowners in Indiana who anticipate having difficulties paying their property taxes, or who already have delinquent property taxes, should visit www.877gethope.org for more information and to start an application."

Applicants can also connect with a housing counselor who can provide advice and information on their options.

Homeowners may be eligible for assistance if they meet the following requirements:

• Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced a financial hardship on or after Jan. 21, 2020
• Own only one mortgaged home
• Property to be assisted is the primary residence
• Have an income equal to or less than 150% of the Area Median Income adjusted for household size, or 100% of the National Median Income, whichever is greater
• Live in Indiana

"In addition to property tax assistance, applicants may also be eligible to receive mortgage reinstatement, up to six months of monthly mortgage payment assistance, and assistance with other property charge fees including homeowner insurance and homeowner association fees," said Jake Sipe, executive director of IHCDA.

In honor of National FFA Week, seven Indiana State FFA Officers and National Officer MacKenna Clifton, of North Carolina, met in the Statehouse to receive a proclamation and resolution declaring Feb. 18-25 Indiana FFA Week.

“It was a pleasure to have these outstanding young professionals representing the State of Indiana and agriculture so well in the Statehouse today,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “FFA is a dynamic youth led organization and I am excited to celebrate National FFA Week this week and agriculture year-round.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the proclamation to name this week FFA Week in recognition of all the work the Indiana FFA Organization, agriculture educators and FFA advisors do to cultivate the next generation of agriculturists for our state.

During the week, chapters across the state and nation will host a variety of events to educate, advocate and celebrate the agricultural industry. From a school animal experience to a farmer’s breakfast, these activities pay homage to the dedication and commitment of today’s agriculturalists.

Throughout the week, the Indiana FFA State Officers travel the state to participate in activities alongside local FFA chapters and their communities.

The Indiana FFA Association also received a Senate Concurrent Resolution highlighting the impact of the FFA Organization, which is preparing more than 13,000 members in 90 of Indiana’s 92 counties for the over 250 unique careers in the food, fiber and natural resource sectors. The resolution was led by Sen. Jean Leising, Senate District 42 and Rep. Michael Aylesworth, House District 11.

Jenna Kelsay, 2022-2023 Indiana FFA Southern Region Vice President shared what this resolution means to her and the FFA Organization.

“Receiving the proclamation and house concurrent resolution today in the Indiana Statehouse was such an exciting way to kick-off National FFA Week,” said Kelsay. “Indiana FFA and its members are so fortunate to have support and recognition from our states agricultural leaders and elected officials.”

Tamara Ketchen, Director of the Indiana FFA Association, is looking forward to seeing all the work done this week at FFA chapters across the state.

“National FFA Week is a time for local chapters to highlight their programs showcasing their success and passion for agriculture,” Ketchen said. “We also use this as an opportunity to recognize community supporters and broadcast the mission of the organization.”

FFA members are agriculture’s future leaders, future food suppliers, future innovators and more. Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about agricultural education and the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture's future leaders.

The first National FFA week was held in 1948, when the National FFA Board of Directors designated a weeklong celebration to recognize George Washington’s example and legacy as a leader and farmer. For the past 75 years, FFA members across the country have taken part in agricultural, leadership and service-based activities during National FFA Week.

Visit www.inffa.org to learn more about Indiana FFA.

Registration is underway for the March 11 Crop & Craft Day, presented by Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Lambda chapter, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Shelbyville’s St. Vincent DePaul Parish Hall, 4218 E. Michigan Rd.

The event, held twice a year, generates funding to provide scholarships to a senior in each of the five county high schools through the Shelby County Scholarship Fund and donations to multiple non-profit organizations in the county.

March 6 is the deadline to register for $30 to attend the day-long event to scrapbook and work on your craft. The fee then increases to $35. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Vendors will be on-site and gift baskets will be raffled

 (License #14595).

The registration form is available on Facebook, Delta Theta Tau, Zeta Lambda chapter.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) today launched a crowdfunding campaign to expand and upgrade the former bowling alley into a civic performance venue.

If this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by April 18, the project led by the Shelby County Players will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

"This project will increase opportunities for artists, musicians, and residents of all ages and talents to be creative and have fun together," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “We can't wait to see the transformation of this former bowling alley into a dynamic community space. ”

Funds from this campaign will be used to build a stage in the lobby, provide light and sound equipment for the stage, create gallery space for local art displays and more.

“We are excited for this matching opportunity which will help create a versatile public lobby space in our soon to be state-of-the art theatre,” stated Cindy Leahy, SCP Managing Director. “This project has been a 10-year journey, with expansion and renovation of the former 44 Bowl scheduled to be completed by year-end. We are so grateful for our volunteers’ diligence and the outpouring of community support for this project.”

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.

Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.

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Abraham Lincoln himself visits the Carnegie East Wing for a neighborly Fireside Chat.

Abe invites everyone, from children to seniors, for this free event. The ever-present black stovepipe hat helps everyone easily identify Lincoln. Chat begins at 7 p.m. in the Indiana Room, the room with the fireplace in the library Annex.

Honest Abe will recall his boyhood years, prairie lawyer days, family life, political aspirations, and Civil War tragedy and triumph, and share eloquent speeches.

Danny Russel of Indianapolis has been hailed by Gov. Eric Holcomb for his portrayal of Lincoln - “Striking! Lincoln’s legacy is a real highlight because of your expertise.” (famoushoosiers.com/press).

Lincoln’s birthday is Feb. 12, 1809, and Russel’s schedule is packed for February. Shelby County Public Library is able to present Russel during Lincoln’s birth month.

This program is for all ages; children will enjoy the program since everyone knows Lincoln loves talking with “young’uns”!

Shelby County Public Library presents a full slate of programs this week while looking ahead to Anti-Valentine’s Day commemorations on Feb. 13 and a visit by Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 15.

• Finding Ancestors on Ancestrylibrary.com, a genealogy workshop, will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Velma Wortman Morristown Branch. Donna Dennison, genealogy and history department head, joins Catherine Roberts, Morristown librarian and branch manager, to show patrons how to use this program that is free when used in the library branches. This informative program is not to be missed by anyone interested in finding out more of their family.
• Computer issues troubling you? Librarians can help during special hours this week. Morristown holds “No Shame” Tech Time on Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m., while Shelbyville’s Tech Time will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the Computer Lab in the Carnegie East Wing, 33 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville.
• Thursday sees two programs in Shelbyville: The Horizon Center Book Club meets at 1 p.m. at the center to discuss the book, “A Hell of a Book” by Jason Mott, while the Cards Against Humanity League Night begins at 6 p.m. in the Carnegie East Wing. This game is strictly 18-plus fun!

The library’s robust Youth Services have a full slate this week.

• Kids’ Club meets Thursday at Shelbyville for Valentine Fun
• Teens’ Crafts on Friday at 4 p.m. at Shelbyville with be Paper Roses
• Teens’ DND takes place Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Shelbyville for a Character Workshop.
• Storytime meets 4 times this week: Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Shelbyville; Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Shelbyville; Thursday at 11 a.m. at Morristown; Thursday at 1 p.m. at Shelbyville

An All-Ages craft event, Boxes of Love, is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Morristown. Crafters will recycle shoe boxes into handy card storage, just in time for Valentine’s Day cards. This free event needs no registration.

Next week, Cupid and Abe dominate. But on Feb. 13, the “Cupid is Stupid” crowd rules the day! Morristown plans an Anti-Valentine’s Day party at 4 p.m. to celebrate friendships instead and bond over ways to forget about those pesky exes.

At Shelbyville, Youth Services plans to hang out for Rude Conversation Hearts, a Breakup Playlist, and maybe a fizzy potion or two. But on Feb. 15, Abraham Lincoln himself visits the Carnegie East Wing for a Fireside Chat. He will recall his boyhood years, prairie lawyer days, family life, political aspirations, and Civil War tragedy and triumph, and share eloquent speeches. Abe invites everyone, from children to seniors, for this free event.

Shelby County's Frontage Road will be closed to traffic Thursday and Friday just east of HIS Constructors for a deep sewer crossing for Central Crane. 

The Browning site, BlueStar ReadiMix, and the residences on Frontage Road will not be accessible via Frontage Road from the west (from 850 W). They will be accessible from the east (750 W).

Indiana Conservation Officer Nick Wilson has been selected as the 2022 District 6 Officer of the Year. District 6 includes Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Bartholomew, Brown, and Monroe counties.

Wilson is assigned to Hendricks County where he has served since 2018. Before transferring, he served in Marion County.

In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, Wilson serves as a background investigator, public safety diver, passenger for hire inspector, river rescue instructor, field training officer, and airboat operator.    

The district award puts Wilson in the running for the Pitzer Award, which is presented to the top overall conservation officer in the state and is selected from the 10 district winners.

The Pitzer Award is named after Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer, who was fatally shot while investigating illegal hunting activity on Jan. 2, 1961, in Jay County.

Get a good breakfast and help a good cause this Saturday.

The Fountaintown Community Volunteer Fire Department is hosting the breakfast fundraiser starting at 7 a.m. Saturday.

A free-will offering is being taken.

The Internal Revenue Service and partners nationwide today kicked off their Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day outreach campaign to help millions of Americans who earned $59,187 or less last year take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

“This is an extremely important tax credit that helps millions of hard-working people every year,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “But each year, many people miss out on the credit because they don’t know about it or don’t realize they’re eligible. In particular, people who have experienced a major life change in the past year – in their job, marital status, a new child or other factors – may qualify for the first time. The IRS urges people to carefully to review this important credit; we don’t want people to miss out.”

In 2022, 31 million eligible workers and families across the country received about $64 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits, with an average amount of more than $2,000.

The IRS administers the EITC, which Congress originally approved in 1975. It was developed in part to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and provide an incentive to work.

The IRS and partners urge people to check to see if they qualify for this important credit. They also encourage people who don’t normally file a tax return to review whether they qualify for EITC and other valuable credits.

The EITC is a tax credit for certain people who work and have low to moderate income. A tax credit usually reduces tax owed and may also result in a refund. Even though millions of people get the EITC, the IRS estimates that about 20% of EITC eligible taxpayers do not claim it.

Workers at risk for overlooking the EITC include those:

• Living in non-traditional homes, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild
• Whose earnings declined or whose marital or parental status changed
• Without children
• With limited English skills
• Who are veterans
• Living in rural areas
• Who are Native Americans
• With earnings below the filing requirement

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically and choosing direct deposit for their refund. Tax software, tax professionals and other free options can help people see if they qualify for the EITC.

Who can get the EITC?
To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return. There’s no need to guess about EITC eligibility; find out with the EITC Assistant, only at IRS.gov.

Workers with qualifying children may be eligible for EITC if their adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $53,057 in 2022 ($59,187 for married filing jointly). These individuals can receive a maximum of $6,935 in EITC, up from $6,728 in 2021.

The maximum EITC for taxpayers with no dependents is $560, available to filers with an AGI below $16,480 in 2022 ($22,610 for married filing jointly), and it can be claimed by eligible workers between the ages of 25 and 64. Married but separated spouses who do not file a joint return may qualify to claim EITC if they meet certain requirements.

EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in 2022:

• $53,057 ($59,187 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children who have valid Social Security numbers (SSNs).
• $49,399 ($55,529 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children who have valid SSNs.
• $43,492 ($49,622 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child who have valid SSNs.
• $16,480 ($22,610 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children who have valid SSNs.
• Investment income must be $10,300 or less.

How to claim the EITC

To get the EITC, workers must file a tax return and claim the credit. Eligible taxpayers should claim the credit even if their earnings were below the income requirement to file a tax return. Free tax preparation help is available online and through volunteer organizations.

Those eligible for the EITC have these options:

• Free File on IRS.gov. Free brand-name tax software is available that leads taxpayers through a question-and-answer format to help prepare the tax return and claim credits and deductions if they’re eligible. Free File also provides online versions of IRS paper forms, an option called Free File Fillable Forms, best suited for taxpayers comfortable preparing their own returns.

• Free tax preparation sites. EITC-eligible workers can seek free tax preparation at thousands of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To locate the nearest site, use the search tool on IRS.gov, the IRS2go smartphone application, or call toll-free 800-906-9887. Taxpayers should bring all required documents and information.

• Find a trusted tax professional. The IRS reminds taxpayers that a trusted tax professional can prepare their tax return and provide helpful information and advice. Tips for choosing a return preparer, including certified public accountants, enrolled agents, attorneys and many others who don’t have a professional credential, and details about national tax professional groups are available on IRS.gov. EITC recipients should watch out for unscrupulous return preparers.

The IRS reminds taxpayers to be sure they have valid Social Security numbers for themselves, their spouse if filing a joint return and for each qualifying child claimed for the EITC. The SSNs must be issued before the April due date of the return. There are special rules for those in the military or those out of the country.

Most EITC refunds deposited by late February

While the IRS began accepting 2022 returns on Jan. 23, 2023, the IRS cannot issue a refund that includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) before mid-February. This is due to the 2015 PATH Act law passed by Congress, which provides this additional time to help the IRS stop fraudulent refunds from being issued.

Where’s My Refund? should show an updated status by Feb. 18 for most early EITC/ACTC filers. The IRS expects most EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayer bank accounts or on debit cards by Feb. 28 if taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return.

Get it right

Taxpayers are responsible for the accuracy of their tax return even if someone else prepares it for them. Since the rules for claiming the EITC can be complex, the IRS urges taxpayers to understand all of them.  

A Veterans Benefits & Resource Fair will be held Tuesday, January 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Marion County Fairgrounds (7300 East Troy Avenue, Indianapolis.

The fair is for all Vietnam Era, Gulf War Era, and Post-9/11 veterans.

Representatives will be on-site to answer questions about VA Eligibility & Enrollment, PACT Act, Federal and State VA Benefits, Filing Claims, and MyHealtheVet.

Toxic Exposure Screening will also be available.

PACT Act briefings are scheduled for 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.

The PACT Act is a historic new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. 

Any Veteran or survivor can learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in honor and remembrance of the victims of the tragedy in Monterey Park, California.

Flags should be flown at half-staff at the Indiana Statehouse until sunset on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff.

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) will start accepting filings for the 2023 individual income tax season on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in concert with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Customers will have until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to file both their state and federal 2022 tax returns and pay any taxes owed.

While Indiana tax forms for the upcoming individual income tax season are now available online, DOR is reminding Hoosiers to wait to file their tax returns until they receive their official tax documents and statements. Attempting to file without all documents can delay the process and ultimately postpone any refund a customer may receive. All employers are required to provide Form W-2s to employees by Jan. 31, 2023.

DOR also encourages customers to utilize electronic filing, online payment and direct deposit to significantly improve the quality and speed of return and refund processing.

While most Hoosiers received their Automatic Taxpayer Refund(s) via check or direct deposit in 2022, many elderly and disabled individuals who did not receive direct payment may be eligible to claim a $200 tax credit. Visit dor.in.gov for eligibility and filing information.

Eligible taxpayers may be able to file their federal and state taxes for free through the INfreefile program. Participating vendors and eligibility requirements are available at freefile.dor.in.gov. Additional information on individual income tax filing, including FAQs, tips and resources for free and low-cost tax preparation help are available at dor.in.gov/individual-income-taxes.

DOR says that the answer to most common tax questions can be found online through dor.in.gov. Customers who wish to contact DOR directly should use the secure messaging portal in INTIME for the most efficient service. INTIME registration takes just a few minutes for most users.

To download tax forms and find more information on what documents are required to file an Indiana individual income tax return, visit DOR’s website, dor.in.gov. 

As we enter the new year, Shelby County Purdue Extension is excited to introduce a new program- RT2: Read, Taste, and Touch.

The primary purpose of RT2 is to promote reading, good nutrition, and agriculture awareness among preschool and early elementary aged children. RT2 encourages parents and others to take time out of their busy day to enhance a child’s learning experience.

Shelby County’s newest extension educator Bailey York explains.

How does it work? First, register for the program which can be done by collecting the form from the Extension office. You will receive a monthly “RT2 Activity Newsletter” via mail or email, that features a new book each month. Then read with your child and work together on the activities.

RT2 participants will be notified about special events through the year, including a two-day celebration during the Shelby County Fair.

Have questions? Contact the Purdue Extension office in Shelby County at 317-392-6460 or email york40@purdue.edu!