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Free tax preparation available

Free tax preparation is available for those whose annual income is below $55,000.

Wyandotte County K-State Research and Extension is partnering with KCKCC to offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

This year, the service is virtual because of COVID-19.

Volunteers are certified by IRS to provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to eligible individuals. VITA staff are trained and certified in completing the federal tax returns, and state tax returns.

They are trained in special tax credits, including Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Credit for the Elderly or Disabled.

Those whose household income qualifies may have their state and federal income tax returns completed and e-filed free of charge. The service is first-come, first-served.

Taxpayers should provide:
• Photo identification
• Social Security cards for every member of the household
• Their income information (such as their W-2s and 1099s)
• Last year’s tax return
• Their bank routing number and account number (to take advantage of direct deposit for any refunds). Bring your checkbook.
• Taxpayers must provide documentation of health insurance for every family member.
• Health insurance must meet the Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Proof of MEC may be found on a Form 1095-C if insurance was obtained through a large employer, or
• On a Form 1095-B if insurance is purchased through a small employer, purchased on the open market, or provided through Medicare or Medicaid, or
• On a Marketplace Form 1095-A, if insurance was purchased through the ACA Marketplace.

The VITA tax preparation service goes through April 14. This year, interested taxpayers should call before they go there, as appointments may be required.

For more information about VITA and how to connect, visit https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/Calendar-of-Events/2022-VITA-Program

Call 913-299-9300, Ext 106, or see https://www.kckcc.edu/community/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita.html.

Other VITA resources are at https://www.elcentroinc.com/economic-empowerment/tax-assistance/

See AARP Tax-Aide locations at
https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html?cmp=FDN-LOCATOR-BTN-LINK-2022
.

Cold weather rule ends today for utility customers

The cold weather rule, which prevents disconnection of utility services when the temperature dips below a certain level, will end today, March 31.

The rule is in effect on natural gas utilities and also on electric service.

The private natural gas utilities in Wyandotte County are under the Kansas Corporation Commission cold weather rule, which says that between Nov. 1 and March 31, the utility can’t disconnect residential customers when the temperature drops below 35 degrees in a following 48-hour period.

Under the KCC rule, failure to make payment arrangements or to adhere to an existing payment plan could result in disconnection, according to the KCC. Reconnection after March 31 could require past due balances to be paid in full, depending on the utility’s policy, the KCC stated. Customers who are having difficulties paying their bills should call their utility now to make payment arrangements. A 12-month payment plan is available.

The BPU’s cold weather rule states that between Nov. 1 and March 31, BPU will not disconnect residential electric customers for nonpayment of bills when the forecast is at or below 32 degrees for 24 hours. Because it is a public utility, the BPU is not regulated by the KCC.

The BPU has several payment plans available for customers. Customers may call the utility’s customer service line at 913-573-9190. For BPU payment arrangements, call 913-573-9145 during business hours.

There are a number of utility assistance programs available to customers, including the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. The LIEAP deadline for applications is 5 p.m. today, March 31. Persons may apply at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

The Kansas KERA program also has provided utility assistance for renters here. For more information on the program, visit https://kshousingcorp.org/.

Atmos natural gas bills to be going up

As much as $5.19 more a month could be charged

Atmos Energy natural gas bills will be increasing to pay for last February’s high natural gas costs, according to an announcement today from the Kansas Corporation Commission.

The KCC approved a settlement agreement for Atmos to recover $102 million in costs incurred during the February 2021 winter storm.

The KCC estimated that residential customers would see an increase of from $3.75 to $5.19 a month based on a 10-year or 15-year term, according to a KCC news release, although the exact amount of the increase was not yet available.

Parts of Wyandotte County are served by Atmos, while other parts of the county are served by the Kansas Gas Service Co. The KCC also approved a settlement agreement for these higher winter February 2021 costs for Kansas Gas Service Co. in February. A news release stated Kansas Gas Service residential customers may pay an estimated $5 to $7 more a month over a period of five to 10 years.

The KCC stated that under the terms of the settlement, Atmos will apply for Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds to obtain the most favorable financing to reduce costs to ratepayers. The 2021 Kansas Legislature passed the Utility Financing and Securitization Act, which allows utilities to use securitized bonds to pay for extraordinary costs at more favorable terms than traditional financing. The KCC will review the Atmos plan to ensure the lowest possible bond costs will be passed on to customers, according to the news release. The application and review process could take six to eight months.

If ratepayers had been asked to repay the charges over a one-year time period, the cost would have been an additional $47.40 per month, according to the KCC.

The KCC stated it was in the public interest for Atmos to incur the extraordinary costs to ensure the integrity of the gas system and ensure continuous service to its customers.

“A lesser response could have resulted in catastrophic property damage and serious public safety implications, including potential loss of life. When extraordinary costs are unavoidable and necessary to benefit the public, it is in the public interest to allow recovery of such costs,” a KCC spokesman stated.

Today’s order also stated that any proceeds received by Atmos from ongoing federal or state investigations into market manipulation, price gouging or civil suits will be passed on to customers.

Atmos Energy delivers natural gas to about 135,000 Kansas customers.

The KCC order for Atmos can be viewed at https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20220324102715.pdf?Id=a5b88cfd-87b2-4f84-8f1a-1753cf72b2f8&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

This story has been updated to reflect the estimates of Kansas Gas Service monthly increases for residents.