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50 Percent Tax Credit for Gift to Salina, Kan., Hospice Requires $250 Minimum

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 August 2005, 12:00 CDT

Aug. 2--Anyone who would like to take advantage of the 50 percent state tax credits being offered for contributions to the $3 million Kay Pogue Hospice Center will have to give at least $250 to qualify.

That number could go higher, depending on what Hospice of Salina's six-person Capital Campaign Steering Committee decides.

When they sent out a press release a little more than a week ago with information about the credits, Hospice officials were unaware of the state regulations that require a $250 minimum contribution to qualify, said Kim Fair, Hospice executive director. At the time, Hospice had set no minimum donation.

Hospice also has learned from state officials that Hospice may increase the minimum contribution figure at its discretion, Fair said. The capital campaign committee hasn't been able to meet to determine whether there should be an increase, she said.

Those who wish to take part in the Community Service Tax Credits program -- which, for example, would allow someone who donates $1,000 to subtract $500 from his or her state tax bill -- must specify their interest in receiving the credit at the time of their donation, Fair said. To qualify, donations must have been made after July 1.

J.R. Robl of the Kansas Department of Commerce, manager of the tax credit program, said competition for the credits is a good indication of how effective they are in helping nonprofit organizations that deal with services to children and families, health care or crime prevention.

The Department of Commerce gave out $4.13 million in credits to 26 organizations this year -- out of 94 that had applied.

"It's a pretty competitive program," Robl said. "These organizations have about a one-in-five chance of being awarded tax credits."

Hospice of Salina, which provides care and services to those with terminal illnesses, received a $98,000 credit.

Other central-Kansas agencies to be awarded credits included:

--The Scandia Business Association, which received $125,000 in credits to complete the construction of a community library and to provide equipment such as computer stations and educational software.

--The Cedars, McPherson, which received $240,000 in credits to build four "Cedar Houses," each with 14 residents, to improve patient care at the retirement community. The project will cost about $4 million and should be complete within about 10 months, said Dave Chartier, business manager.

"The Community Service Tax Credits are just wonderful to help projects like this," Chartier said.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Salina Journal, Kan.

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Source: The Salina Journal

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