Montpelier (vpr)
The underpayments by about 15,000 filers who used itemized returns were due to problems in popular software from companies such as H&R Block and Intuit, which markets TurboTax.
As a result, the two companies have agreed to pay the state about $2.4 million.
Tax commissioner Mary Peterson said normally the taxpayer is responsible for an underpayment even if the software or preparer is at fault.
“If we had to initiate collection efforts, you don’t get the full amount from everybody when you start going down that path,” Peterson said. “This way, the state gets its money immediately. So then we were able to say to the individual taxpayers that we’re actually abating the tax, which is very unusual.”
Peterson said Intuit is contributing $2.375 million to offset the loss in tax revenue and H&R Block is paying $44,000. The figures are based on the number of Vermont tax filers using each company’s software.
The state has also requested contributions from three other software vendors to make up the balance of an estimated $2.75 million in unpaid taxes.
The tax department says those who have submitted payments as a result of the software problems will receive refunds.
Due to software coding errors discovered in April, many taxpayers who itemized deductions were not instructed to submit a form that calculated limitations on certain deductions.
Claremont (ap)
The city plans to vote next week on whether to approve the project, which is part of a decadelong master plan of airport updates.
Plans call for starting construction in September. Fire officials say the new hangar would have the same 60-by-80-foot dimensions. It would be located east of the taxiway and closer to the airport runway and other hangars.
The building would be able to hold up to six small aircrafts.
Officials said the hangar project should take several months.
The airport conducts about 500 operations a year and provides aircraft services and fuel.
Montpelier (ap)
The student, identified in federal court papers as John Doe, said he is being denied due process. He asked a federal judge to block UVM’s investigation or to dismiss the complaint.
In his complaint filed last week, the man says he was told June 10 that an allegation of sexual misconduct had been made against him, but other than the name of the person who made the charges against him, the date and the location of the alleged incident he was provided no details.
The public court filing did not name the woman who made the accusations.
The man is willing to meet with UVM officials to discuss the allegations, but he wants to know the details of the charges against him so he can properly prepare and be ready to respond. He claims he was told by the UVM official investigating the case he’d been provided with enough information to understand the allegations.
“It’s a complete mystery what the allegation is and what he may have engaged in under the misconduct policy,” said the man’s attorney, Brooks McArthur.
UVM spokesman Enrique Corredera said the school followed the best practices for investigating sexual misconduct complaints.
“The university is confident that its sexual misconduct policy and procedures fully comply with federal law,” Corredera said. “As such, we believe there is no basis for this lawsuit and we will move to have it dismissed.”
Manchester (ap)
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team will include a police officer, crisis services advocate and behavioral health professional who will quickly respond to incidents, assess the situation and determine how best to help the child, whether it be support groups, counseling or early childhood education programs.
The idea is to give children who witness violence the same kind of support victims routinely receive, and to prevent future problems, said Lara Quiroga, a program direct at one of the program’s partners, the Manchester Community Health Center.