From now until next Monday, Mississippi residents who need assistance in filing their income tax returns can use the free services of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program.

You do not have to be an AARP member or a senior citizen to get help. Tax-Aide volunteers work with people regardless of their age or income level.

Debra Grant, Mississippi state coordinator for the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program, said it helps those with limited resources from turning to tax-prep services they cannot afford. She pointed out last year, they filed more than 3,600 tax returns for Mississippians and the refunds totaled well over $2.4 million.

"Over 63% of the taxpayers we served here in Mississippi last year were over the age of 60," Grant noted. "And to the point of low-income families, the average income for the taxpayers we served in Mississippi was just about $34,000"

Grant emphasized the volunteers are trained and IRS-certified to ensure they are caught up on the latest changes to the Tax Code. She added they have more than 100 volunteers operating at 16 different locations across the state, including sites in Southaven and Gulfport.

Grant explained the program offers several options for taxpayer assistance, from in-person one- or two-visit appointments, to scan and drop-off services and more. She added there were no significant federal tax law changes for 2023 returns but there are some Mississippi state tax changes.

"They have eliminated a couple of the tiers where folks in the past would have paid taxes on their Mississippi income," Grant stressed. "This year, Mississippi does not tax any income below $10,000. And there's just a flat rate of 5% on that taxable income."

Grant acknowledged Tax-Aide volunteers can help in most cases but not in more complex situations, such as returns involving small businesses with employees.

Two of the largest credit card companies in the United States want federal regulators to greenlight a merger and the deal has been met with skepticism from a consumer rights group.

Capital One and Discover Financial Services agreed in February to combine their services in a $35 billion deal.

Patrick Woodall, managing director of policy at Americans for Financial Reform -- which is composed of civil rights, labor and other civic organizations and promotes an equitable financial system for consumers -- noted the merger would pose a hardship for some.

"This disproportionately impacts Black and Latino families who are much more likely to have subprime credit scores, much more likely to struggle paying their credit card bill," Woodall pointed out. "It would give the company the power to extract value and money from these working families."

Corporate mergers often mean excess jobs will be cut. In 2021, Discover opened a customer care center in Chicagoland, but Woodall fears call center and marketing positions there are on the line. Should the merger receive approval, Capital One has vowed to retain all Discover workers for one year. Then, Capitol One's management can legally close all Discover operations.

The Bank Merger Review Modernization Act mandates federal regulators consider the effects of a proposed merger on the community it serves. According to the financial site Experian, Illinoisans hold an average yearly credit card balance of almost $7,000.

Woodall believes the merger will lead to increased credit card costs, which he said are "likely to gouge consumers."

"It's creating a bank so large and so weighted towards credit cards that in the event of sort of an economic downturn, this bank could be in trouble," Woodall contended. "That could cause systemic problems across the broader economy and banking system."

The Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will hold an open meeting July 19 for community input. Woodall hopes federal regulators will "do the right thing" by standing up for the statutory requirements and blocking the merger.

Summer is in full swing and as temperatures increase across the state of Arizona, so do energy bills.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, said Arizonans can easily cut down on their electric bills, from steps as simple as turning off lights or electronics when they are not in use, to investing in a "smart" thermostat to provide better control of a home's temperature.

Brown added people should check with their utility company to ensure they are on the best rate plan, especially if there has been a change in the number of people living under one roof.

"Often your utility can help you cut down on your monthly bill through energy efficiency discounts and rebates," Brown explained. "Helping you to assess if you're on the best rate plan for your household."

For people struggling to pay their bill, she noted utilities offer financial assistance or can point you to a nonprofit to can help. An appliance taking in one watt of electrical current at all times is equivalent to nine kilowatt-hours per year. These so-called "energy vampires" cost the average household between $100 and $200 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Brown pointed out cutting energy waste does not require a dramatic change in daily habits or comfort. Just closing curtains during the hottest part of the day can reduce the amount of heat entering a room by up to one-third. She added using ceiling fans to help offset air conditioning is another money-saver; and avoiding using your oven in the summer is another smart strategy.

"Using an air fryer, a slow cooker, microwave or a grill can help to reduce the amount of heat in a room," Brown emphasized. "Which will help to reduce the amount of air conditioning that is being employed, thereby saving money."

Brown acknowledged utility companies often propose raising households' monthly rates and fees. She added if you are behind on an electric bill or anticipate having a hard time paying it, contact the company or the statewide nonprofit Wildfire, to learn more about the Home Energy Assistance Fund.

As Hoosiers gear up for Independence Day, safety experts are stressing the importance of handling fireworks responsibly.

Trevor Hash, division chief for prevention at the Noblesville Fire Department, warned against using illegal fireworks because of the dangers they pose. Injuries are less common now thanks to awareness but there still will likely be injuries.

"As far as injuries go, we've had injuries in the past -- they're not as common because of things like what you're doing right now -- the awareness of you don't want to go out there and touch the dud," Hash explained. "You want to have an adult set them off and have a big perimeter."

Last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported around 10,000 fireworks-related injuries and eight fatalities in the nation. Hash reminded everyone fireworks can easily ignite nearby structures, vegetation and clothing, leading to severe burns, lacerations and eye injuries. Keep children at least 100 feet away and never let them handle fireworks.

Hash also noted the stress fireworks can cause for people with PTSD and pets.

"Pets around fireworks; pets run out, people chase the pets and then they get injured," Hash observed. "And then the duds. Don't go grab the firework. We want to give those five to 10 minutes to see if they're going to go off. If you can leave those overnight, even better. We definitely want to make sure those go in a bucket of water."

According to Indiana law, only people 18 years of age or older can purchase fireworks.


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