by Julia Wilson, Edmonson County Extension Office:
Tax Surprise? Check Your Withholding

Those who have filed their taxes early may have gotten a surprise this year.

Business Insider reports that the average refund issued in Kentucky in 2018 was $2,648, and early IRS data indicates that nationwide refunds may be down in 2019. This is the first tax season since federal tax law changes went into effect, which may mean bigger or smaller refunds than normal if taxpayers did not adjust their withholdings.

However, receiving less than expected might be a savvy financial strategy. Returns are provided when a taxpayer withholds too much from paychecks - which amounts to an interest-free loan to the government. If you have the discipline to save that money from each paycheck instead of paying it in taxes, you could be earning returns on your investments all year long.

The IRS offers a withholding calculator for a quick “paycheck checkup” at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator. The site also offers instructions for changing your withholding if needed.

If you’re among the 1.5 million Kentuckians who receive a tax refund, you have a choice to make. How will you use the money you receive back from the government? Consider the following options to help reach your financial goals:
* Contribute to emergency savings - at least 3-6 months of living expenses
* Reduce or eliminate debt - pay down the highest-rate debt first and apply the payment toward the principal
* Invest in the market or contribute to your retirement account
* Start or contribute to a college fund
* Renovate your home - save on energy or improve your home's value

References:
Business Insider. (Feb. 25, 2019). Taxpayers are seeing smaller refunds across the US — here's how much the average person gets back in every state. Retrieved March 6, 2019, from https://www.businessinsider.com/tax-refund-average-by-state-2018-1
Source: Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate for Family and Resource Management

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING 

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Edmonson County 6th grade students attended Safety Camp, a program dedicated to students meeting and interacting with community professionals to learn about various safety topics, on Friday March 22, 2019.

The students separated into eight groups and rotated through a variety of safety sessions throughout the day. ​

​This year’s camp had eight different sessions to include subjects such as electrical safety with Harrold Miller of WRECC, juuling dangers with Kathy Tweet of BRDHD, cave safety with Mammoth Cave National Park guide Autumn Bennett, and walking your land "identifying potential meth labs" with Sheriff Shane Doyle and Deputy Jordan Jones of the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, along with Brownsville Police Officer Dustin Harvey. 

Other sessions included safety and first aide with Ashley Ritter from Edmonson EMS, assisted by Sherrell Thompson of the Edmonson County Extension Office, fire safety with local firefighters Stan Tillman and Pete Tarantino, and motor vehicle (ATV, dirtbike, golfcart, etc.) safety with Holley Motorsports Park employees: Taylor Howard Group Sales Coordinator, Corey Fugate Kart Track Supervisor and Jimmy Gott- Maintenance Supervisor. 

​Community volunteers and parents served as group leaders during Safety Camp. “We couldn't do this event without them,” said EC 5/6 Center Family Resource Center Coordinator, Sharon Brooks. “We want to use this day as a way for students to not only learn about these important safety topics but to meet and interact with these people in our community in a positive way.”

Edmonson County Judge Executive Wil Cannon is encouraging everyone to visit the Edmonson County governmental website, edmonsoncounty.org, where local government information is available for free.

"Maybe folks don't know how to contact their magistrate, or even who their magistrate is," said Judge Cannon. "You can find that out and so much other helpful local information. It's really a great directory for contacting any local county office, elected official, even state and federal legislators. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this helpful and free resource." 

You can click the ad below to visit edmonsoncounty.org, as well as the ad on our homepage.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The Family Resource Center hosted their 2019 Health and Safety Fair on March 15th.

​South Edmonson Elementary and Kyrock Elementary 4th graders participated in the event. 

​Sessions during the event included team building presented by Lifeskills, an ambulance tour and health safety by EMS and water safety conducted by US Army Corp of Engineers of Nolin River Lake. 

​The Kentucky State Police presented stranger danger, fitness was covered by the Edmonson County Extension Office and the Bowling Green Fire Department spoke with students about fire safety. 

​Dental and hygiene was presented by Community Education, tobacco awareness was conducted by district nurse Jenna Hadley & Shawn Smith of U of L and prescription drug safety by FRYSC. 

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Over 50 people attended the Future Bulldogs Workshop on March 19, 2019 at South Edmonson Elementary School​.

​Future Bulldogs is a Family Resource Center program that is designed to help children 0-5 become Preschool and Kindergarten Ready.

​The workshop consisted of a tour of the school, discussion, packets of Kindergarten readiness materials and an activity for the Future Bulldogs.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
What began as a project for Mrs. Jennifer Dooley’s AP English class has now turned into a group of friends continuing to give back to the community from which they were raised.

Edmonson County High School students: Cheyenne Gibson, Brittany Simmons, Sidney Tennison, Katie Hogan, Katelynn Mencer, Cheyanne Johnson, Callie Willis, Julia Jurisich and Chloe Collins hosted their first soup kitchen at Brownsville Community Center on March 8th, 2019.

“We all do our own part, “said Treasurer Cheyenne Gibson. “We all make and serve the food, hang flyers and speak with people about sponsorship and advertisement."

In March, the ladies served approximately 70-80 people and are planning to serve even more at their next meal on April 12th from 4pm to 7pm.

“We want to reach more people to make sure everybody at least has a safe place and warm meal once in a while,” said Cheyenne. “We plan to continue this even after school gets out and to turn this into a monthly occurrence.” 

You can find out more about this group by clicking on their Facebook Page here.

Several Lady Cat Softball team members traded their uniforms for tiaras, gowns, and glitter at their recent Disney Princess Fundraiser that drew a huge crowd at ECHS this past Saturday, March 16th.

Players dressed as their favorite Disney Princess and invited girls and their parents to come out and interact with the princesses, have stories read, share candy, and take photos.

It is Lady Cat Softball's biggest fundraiser of the year and booster club members agreed that it was a huge success. A statement from the boosters said:

"Similar events are hosted by various organizations in surrounding counties and they seemed to be successful so we'd thought we try it here. Some people aren't able to go to Disney so for some girls, this is just as good."

More than $3000 was raised for the team, which will go towards the costs of field maintenance, uniforms, and equipment. 

The 2019 Lady Cats softball season is currently underway. They enjoyed a win over Caverna yesterday in their season opener.

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Several local students were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the March 11, 2019 Edmonson County Board of Education meeting. The students were: Gavin Dooley, Ava Kate Lich, Macy Cassady, Danyale Atwell, Trent Whittle, Mollie Cassady, and Chanley Logsdon. 

Moriah Peterson, story and photos:
Edmonson County 8th graders participated in the Reality Store program at the middle school Thursday morning March 14, 2019. 

The purpose of the program is teach students about real life expenses. "I hope the school continues to do this program, especially with this age group, " said volunteer Scott Lindsey. "This program allow students to start making decisions now to better their future."  

Before attending the Reality Store students filled out a questionnaire and then drew for a career and how many children they will have to create a life scenario. After students received their scenarios they spent the morning rotating through the gym visiting tables to buy a house, a vehicle, insurances, and pay bills. ​

This program is the first step in Operation Preparation which continues throughout high school in preparing students to graduate college and career ready. 

"The students are given salaries based on their careers, then we take out taxes and the goal for the students is to have money left over after visiting all the tables and paying for their monthly living expenses, said Youth Services Center Coordinator, Morgan Esters. "This is how real life works, and I think the program shows students the importance of their future choices and how those choices will affect their adulthood."

After participating in the Reality Store students took a post survey which asked questions about getting education after high school, making wise financial decisions and saving money. 

 Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
On Tuesday March 12, 2019 Edmonson County High School seniors participated in Adulting 101, a program that is presented by the Edmonson County Family Resource/Youth Services Center and Edmonson County Community Education.

The purpose of this program is to teach students about "real life" situations that are often not taught in the standard classroom. 

The program focused on teaching students about preparing their own meals, personal safety and drug awareness, banking and general business, the basics on voting, and internet safety.

Special volunteers that helped at the event were: SKYCTC Culinary Instructor Tammy Inscoe, WKU Police Officer Timothy Gray, safety instructor Mike Lemon, PVA Kyle White, and Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges. More similar activities are planned for the remainder of the week.

The following students were named winners at the 2019 Entrepreneur Fair: 1st Place- Caleb Hall and Jayden Bocock (J & C Nerf Blast), 2nd Place- Jack Browning (Spin to Win), and 3rd Place- Brylee Goins (Stress Ball Boutique). The best decorated booth winner was Ella Lindsey (EL The Pet Shack).

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Edmonson County resident Sput Houchins was inducted into the South Central Kentucky Walking Horse Association Hall of Fame on March 9, 2019 at the Barren River State Park.

Several friends and family members attended and congratulated him on this award.