Several area entities came together to offer a free tax service to low to moderate income individuals and persons with disabilities through the mobile tax unit this week.
Flinthills Services, Inc. hosted the event – a partnership between United Way of the Plains, Community Development Disability Organization of Butler County (CDDO) and Mid-Kansas Community Action
Program (Mid-CAP) – at their offices.
Their hope was to reach individuals who may not typically file and who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit, other credits or refunds. Trained VITA volunteers prepared the tax returns.
Dana Korkki, Flinthills director, said the filing rate is low for their clients.
“We are very fortunate to have this program become available to us,” he said. “We expect a good turnout. Without the program, I would say three-fourths of our people would struggle to file.”
The event, the first of its kind for Butler County, came about when Colleen O’Callaghan, with United Way, contacted Mid-CAP about doing such an event.
“We began talking about disability clients,” Marion Nichols, with Mid-CAP, said.
They wrote a grant through the IRS. The grant focuses on disabled populations.
“We decided we wanted to reach the rural area,” O’Callaghan said.
The CDDO also got involved.
“Our focus is Butler County,” said Dale Tower, with CDDO. “We do the eligibility and quality insurance for everyone.
“It was great they contacted us.”
He then contacted Korkki.
Korkki said they have people filing taxes who usually do not.
The service was offered for two days, and they hope to make it an annual event.
Tower said they also hope to expand such services to other counties in the area.
“It is all a very well coordinated effort,” Korkki added. “It’s just a wonderful program. This is one true effort of just providing collaboration. All providers are working together for one cause.”
They will be in Augusta March 18 and 19, and it is open to the public. Anyone interested in making an appointment can call the United Way referral line at 211. To make an appointment throughout the tax season with Mid-CAP, call 775-3000 ext. 100.
“It’s a significant impact to the area,” O’Callaghan said. “It brings money back into the community.”
