Community News Archives for 2023-01

Frontage Road scheduled for closure on Thursday and Friday

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).

 

 

Wilson is District 6 Conservation Officer of the Year

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.

On EITC Awareness Day, IRS and partners promote major tax benefit to millions of low-and moderate-income workers

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.

 

 

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.  

VA hosting Veterans Benefits and Resource Fair at Marion County Fairgrounds

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.

Gov. Holcomb directs flags to be flown at half-staff

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.

Individual income tax filing opens Jan. 23

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

Shelby County Purdue Extension introducing RT2: Read, Taste, and Touch

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!

Film Appreciation Series offered free to Shelby County Public Library patrons

Film aficionados unite!

 

Movie buffs can sign up for a Film Appreciation Series on Orson Welles or Pre-Code Hollywood, before censorship took hold.

 

Sign up by Feb. 20.

 

Classes are free for library patrons, but they must register to get class materials. Classes will meet through Zoom, and codes are needed.

 

  Owen Field

 

Instructor Owen Field, a Southwestern High School graduate, will teach the classes.

 

Eye of a Poet & Soul of a Magician: Celebrating Orson Welles will be held on Monday nights from Feb. 27 to April 3 from 6:30 to 8:45 pm.

 

THEY SHOWED THAT!?!? Pre-Code Hollywood will be held on Wednesday nights from March 1 to April 5 from 6:30 to 8:45 pm.

 

All classes meet by Zoom; patrons will need a code for the Zoom classes.

 

Students will watch an assigned film before each class session, and discussion takes place during class. All titles will be available in the library for short-term checkout. Links to films online will also be provided.

 

Check the library website for the lists of films for each class.

 

To register, email Michael Daniels at mdaniels@sscpl.lib.in.us or sign up in the library to receive Zoom credentials and course materials.

 

Field has practiced law in Chicago for 25 years, but he is in his 15th year of teaching film classes through City Colleges of Chicago. Shelby County Public Library is proud to partner with Field to offer college-level classes free to the community.

 

 

 

NWS to host Weather Spotters in Shelby County

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency is pleased to announce that a date has been set for the NWS Weather Spotters Class.

 

The class will take place on Monday, February 27 at 6:00 PM.

 

The class will be held at the Shelbyville F.O.P. Lodge 84 located at 1237 N. Knightstown Road. There is no charge to attend this class.

 

**PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT**

 

Please go to the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency-Indiana Facebook Page to register for the event.

 

The deadline for registering is 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 22.

 

Feel free to contact the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency at 317-392-6308 or scema@co.shelby.in.us if you have any questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelbyville Street Department accepting live Christmas trees

Live Christmas trees can be dropped off at the following locations free of charge:

 

Sunset Park - 410 River Rd

Shelby County Transfer Station – 1304 N Michigan Rd

 

All live tress must be free of all decorations and stands.

Federal grant will help improve quality, access, affordability of early childhood care, education

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education Office of Kindergarten Readiness, has been awarded a $42 million federal grant. 

 

These dollars will be used over three years to implement programmatic changes that will improve Indiana’s capacity to recruit early educators, increase access to early learning opportunities for students in unserved areas and ultimately, support families as they make important decisions regarding their child’s education.

 

"These funds come at a key time as Indiana has built the foundation for innovation through the collaborative partnership of FSSA, IDOE and the Early Learning Advisory Committee. Together we are uniquely prepared to best serve children and families across the state," said Maureen Weber, chairwoman of the Early Learning Advisory Committee. 

 

The three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award $14 million annually to FSSA, which partnered with the Indiana Department of Education on the grant application.

 

Combined with FSSA’s $4.2 million annual investment as matching funds required by the grant, $54.6 million will be leveraged in total to accelerate and build Indiana’s capacity to implement long-lasting change, including:

  • Building upon stakeholders’ understanding of the needs, gaps and inequities in Indiana’s birth-through-age-5 mixed delivery system, especially as they relate to underserved populations
  • Refreshing Indiana’s birth-through-age-5 strategic plan to reflect the current environment and the existing opportunities to drive system-level change
  • Amplifying the voices of families in decision-making and introducing new services and educational supports that empower them as their child’s first and most important teacher
  • Introducing new workforce recruitment and career pathways, building the operational capacity of early childhood care and education providers and enhancing workforce conditions and compensation
  • Strengthening instructional practices, quality measures and birth-to-age 8 coordination efforts
  • Investing in the expansion of high-quality programs in underserved geographies

The funding will build upon key work already underway to improve the early learning infrastructure in Indiana. New state legislation championed by Gov. Eric J. Holcomb restructured and expanded Indiana’s Early Learning Advisory Committee, and Gov. Holcomb also launched a new Office of Kindergarten Readiness within IDOE to work in partnership with OECOSL to ensure the early learning experiences children receive are effectively readying them for school. In September 2022, new early learning policy goals were established by ELAC to ensure Hoosier children, especially those most underserved, have access to early learning opportunities that prepare them with the skills required to thrive in kindergarten.

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