Sun. biz briefs – 1/29/17

Jan. 29--VITA tax help available until April 17

To assist state residents with tax returns, experts with the University of Missouri have opened Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites until April 17.

Sites will be open across the state, including in St. Joseph.

Andrew Zumwalt, an assistant extension professor for financial planning, said the VITA program helps participants file their taxes and provides MU students with learning.

Zumwalt cautions anyone planning on claiming certain tax credits on their taxes that they may notice delays in receiving refunds.

Call InterServ at 232-7779 for more information on making an appointment with a VITA volunteer.

Greitens pledges to repair state's tax system

Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, on Wednesday assigned a team to fix what he terms a broken tax system that is believed responsible for hurting the Missouri budget and eliminating jobs.

A Facebook post from Greitens in part reads: "What our people want is a tax system that is simple, fair and low. What we have instead is a tax system that is complex, corrupt and high."

Greitens signed an executive order to pursue the initiative, dubbed the Governor's Committee for Simple, Fair and Low Taxes.

The committee will be comprised of four members appointed by the governor, three appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and three by the House Speaker.

Its goals will include comparing the state's tax credit system and its rates with those of peer states.

Pact signed for purchase of wind energy power

Infinity Renewables of Santa Barbara, California, has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission.

The agreement sells wind energy from Infinity's Iron Star Wind Project in Ford County, Kansas.

The energy is set to be delivered to the utility commission's Missouri customers via the planned Grain Belt Express Clean Line project.

Grain Belt is currently before the Missouri Public Service Commission for potential approval. A group of regional residents is opposing the project.

-- News-Press Now reports

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