Author: ckcfashley

Tax Filing Season Opens Door to New Scam

Posted on

As the tax filing season moves into high gear, tax scammers continue to develop new strategies.

In IR-2018-27, the Service explained the latest tax scam. Because it is difficult for IRS software to discover scams using actual taxpayer data, the tax scammers have developed a new concept.

The tax scammer starts by acquiring your normal tax return information — your name, Social Security Number, typical deductions, filing status and bank account numbers. In some cases, the tax scammer steals this information by hacking into your tax preparer’s computer network.

After stealing your information, the scammer files the return and claims a large refund. That refund is sent directly to your bank account.

To have a successful scam, the thief must then implement a creative plan to persuade you to send the refund to him or her. There are two basic ways the scammer will try to convince you to send him or her your refund.

First, the scammer contacts you and claims to be an IRS representative tasked to recover erroneous refunds. He or she demands that you send the money to his or her “refund recovery” account.

A second strategy is to use an automated phone call to threaten you with immediate arrest for criminal fraud because you received an improper refund. If you call the scammer’s number, he or she directs you to deposit the improper refund amount in a “recovery” account.

The IRS has specific procedures to follow if you receive a phony refund. You can contact your bank Automated Clearing House (ACH) and have the amount returned to the IRS.

If you have an amount returned to the IRS, you should call the Service at 800-829-1040 (Individual Returns) or 800-829-4933 (Business Returns). In your call, you will need to explain why the refund amount is being returned.

Published February 16, 2018

What’s Your Passion? The Arts!

Posted on

Image result for newton ks mural

Do you love the idea of bringing life to our communities through art, music, dance and more? CKCF and our affiliate foundations hold many funds that support the fine arts. Consider contributing to one of the following funds today or contact CKCF to establish a fund to feed your passion!

Carriage Factory Gallery Endowment
Hillsboro Community Foundation Arts Fund
Newton Murals and Arts Project Fund
Jean and Virginia Coleman Music Scholarship
Marissa Faith Miao Burghart Memorial Art Scholarship

Contact CKCF!

Family First

Posted on

With recent changes to the tax code, now is the perfect time to review your plan to ensure it achieves your goals to provide for family and to support your favorite charities.

 

With Charitable Planning

  • Capital gains taxes can be reduced or even eliminated with proper planning.
  • You create a charitable legacy supporting the causes important to you while freeing assets for family.
  • The estate tax may be reduced or eliminated.

Without Charitable Planning

  • Your appreciated assets face a capital gains tax of up to 20% or more.
  • Your charitable legacy ends when you pass away; your family receives less and may have to pay more in taxes.
  • Your estate may pay a tax of up to 40%.

 

You might think providing a meaningful charitable legacy means asking your family to sacrifice its inheritance, but nothing could be further from the truth. The key to giving more to your family is to pay less in taxes. By including a charity like ours in your plans, you can avoid or significantly reduce taxes, leaving more for your loved ones. You can also create a lasting charitable legacy by continuing your giving for decades to come. Just a little planning can make a big difference.

Don’t define your legacy by how much you paid in taxes, but by how well you cared for your family and continued your charitable works beyond your lifetime. We have simple, easy tools that can help you reduce taxes, increase income and leave more for your loved ones. Call or email us for a free, no-obligation look at all we can do for you and your family. ◊

Six Tax-Saving Solutions for the Year End

Posted on

The end of 2017 is in sight, and with planning, you can trim your tax bill and avoid paying too much. Here are six things you can do to make your money work harder for you.

  1. Pay Your Mortgage Early — Make your January mortgage payment in December.
  2. Defer Income — Defer income or a year-end bonus until next year.
  3. Give to Charity — Give to your favorite qualified charity.
  4. Manage Your IRA — If you are required to take a distribution from your IRA, take only the required amount to reduce taxable income.
  5. Balance Stocks — To offset any capital gains, sell some stock for a loss and rebalance your portfolio.
  6. Gather Deductions — Make early payments for any deductible expenses.

These ideas are some of the simplest and most effective ways you can reduce your tax bill. Contact us to learn more ways you can save this year by helping our cause. To learn more about these options for end-of-year gifts, or to view an illustration of the benefits of making a gift of your property, please call or e-mail us today. We look forward to helping you meet your year-end goals!

A Gift of Time Benefits Many

Posted on

Front Row LtoR: Tammy Jackson, Marilyn Loganbill, Arlene Garrison, Judy Rittgers, Darla Wilken

Back Row LtoR: Valerie Garver, Natise Vogt, Jennifer Miles, Connie Rickard, Executive Director Respite Care;, Angie Tatro, Executive Director CKCF; Harlan Rittgers, Marge Warta, CKCF Board, Ron Lang, CKCF Board. 

Trinity Heights Respite Care accepted a grant check from Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) during a board meeting October 17, 2017.

Trinity Heights Respite Care’s mission is to provide respite care to families in Harvey and Marion Counties who have special needs children, age birth through 16 years. Trinity Heights Respite Care is a ministry of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.

The CKCF board had the opportunity to award designated grants from the Kansas Health Foundation – Newton Fund this Fall and awarded three special grants. Trinity Heights Respite Care was among them. “Over the years, CKCF has taken notice of the exceptional work Trinity Heights Respite Care is doing to care for the families and caregivers who have a loved one with special needs,” said Angie Tatro, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Trinity Heights Respite Care is a unique service that focuses on families of children with special needs.  Our service provides periods of relaxation to families to help them rejuvenate, attend to other responsibilities of daily living, and basically give a gift of time to the family.  “Respite care is a temporary rest from the daily challenge of caring for a family member who has special needs, a gift of time,” said Connie Rickard, Director of Trinity Heights Respite Care.

Regularly scheduled respite care allows the child with special needs opportunities to develop ongoing relationships and trust outside the family unit.  Additionally, respite care services, supporting the needs of these select families increases community awareness and acceptance of persons with special needs.  Overall these services are a life saver to families.  When parents/caretakers become stress, this effects the whole family, work, and their health. Richard went on to say, “Our service does more than just provide a short period of care.”

The program requires families pay part of the cost of care, based on a sliding scale. Grants like this one help off-set costs for the families utilizing services. Without the sliding scale, many families could not afford this valuable service.

The Newton community is rich with resources like Respite Care. If you need more information about local charities, please contact CKCF and ask for Brenda Sooter, Program Officer – Grants, at 316-283-5472.