By Rosalyn Partin, H&R Block
- Whether or not Social Security benefits will be reduced due to income
- Whether or not Social Security benefits are subject to income tax.
We field lots of questions throughout the year about the taxability of Social Security benefits. Many Social Security recipients confuse two issues:
If you are receiving Social Security benefits and you have not reached the “full retirement age” (which is based on the year you were born), your monthly Social Security retirement benefits can be reduced due to your earned income. Earned Income is income you receive for work you perform. It includes wages, self-employed business net income, and farming net income. Earned Income does not include investment income, rental income, or income you receive because you are retired such as pensions. Each year, the Social Security Administration sets the amount of earned income allowed while receiving full Social Security benefits. In 2021, if you’re under full retirement age, the annual earnings limit is $18,960.
Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax depending on your filing status and total income. The calculation takes ½ of the total Social Security benefits shown on the return added to your total other income from all sources. If the sum is over $32,000 for married taxpayers or over $25,000 for single taxpayers, a portion of the Social Security benefits will be subject to income tax. Currently, no more than 85% of Social Security benefits received can be subject to income tax.
Besides these two issues, there are other important points for people receiving Social Security benefits:
- The amount you pay for Medicare Part B is related to your total income. Currently, single taxpayers or married taxpayers filing separate from their spouse pay a higher Medicare B premium if their income is over $88,000. Married taxpayers filing jointly will pay an increased amount for Medicare B when their income is over $176,000. Taxpayers who anticipate having a tax event that may cause their income for one year to be inflated and go over the limit may be able to reduce the impact of the event on their Medicare cost by seeking advice from a professional.
- If you receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits or you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you aren’t required to file an income tax return, you may want to file a return for 2020 and 2021 if you have dependent children. By filing a return even though you aren’t required to file, you will be eligible for the Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) for your dependent children and the Child Tax Credit for 2021.
If you have questions about Social Security benefits and would like help from the Tax Professionals at H&R Block, please call your local H&R Block office. In Manchester TN call 931-728-9462. H&R Block Has Your Back!
Bonnaroo delays gate opening due to inclement weather
Gates for the 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival were scheduled to open Tuesday morning. That is no longer the case.
Organizers announced late Sunday that due to heavy rainfall and storms in the are due to remnants from Hurricane Ida, campgrounds would likely open on Wednesday instead.
“It is our intention to open the campgrounds on Wednesday morning pending an assessment of the grounds,” Bonnaroo said in a statement. “At this time Tuesday pass holders should plan on entering Wednesday. We are so excited to welcome you all to The Farm but your safety is our first priority. Please have patience as we work through our plans and we will update as we know more.”
Bonnaroo had attendees select different days to enter the festival – Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday – to help alleviate traffic congestion.
Thunder Radio is the home to Bonnaroo Radio beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday and going through noon Monday, Sept. 6
Gas prices steady for now; likely to rise due to Hurricane
The Tennessee gas price average held steady over last week, however the aftermath of Hurricane Ida is likely to cause gas price fluctuations leading into Labor Day weekend. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.85 which is four cents less than one month ago and 86 cents more than one year ago.
In Coffee County, the average price of gasoline is $2.83, which is 2 cents below the state average.
“Until the power is restored to gulf coast refineries, it’s too early to know the full impact of any damage Ida caused on the oil and gas industry, but motorists regionally can expect price fluctuations leading into Labor Day weekend,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Typically, a category 4 storm could mean three plus weeks before refineries are back to normal operations, while offshore production is more likely to resume this week.”
Quick Facts
· 94% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $3.00
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.66 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $3.12 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee moved to the 9th least expensive market in the nation
National Gas Prices
The national gas price average decreased by two cents as of Sunday, the cheapest price since early July, but was back up a penny to $3.15 Monday morning following Hurricane Ida. The storm has left more than one million people in Louisiana and Mississippi without power and likely taken about 13% of U.S. refining capacity offline. There were nine oil refineries in Ida’s path; at least four were believed to have shut down operations ahead of the storm.
As a precautionary measure, Colonial Pipeline announced on Sunday that they shut down two main lines that run from Houston, TX, to Greensboro, NC. The company added that following an infrastructure inspection after the storm, the pipeline would be back to full service. Gas prices nationally, especially in the southeast and east coast, will see minimal impact at the pump if the pipeline is down for a matter of hours versus days.
Since Friday, Louisiana’s gas price average increased from $2.81 to $2.83. The increase is expected as a storm like this can cause an increase in demand, due to panic buying, leading up to the storm. However, we are likely to see a dramatic reduction in demand post-hurricane as people stay home due to power outages and road closures.
AAA’s thoughts are with all of those impacted by this devastating storm. For members in the impacted areas requesting AAA services, please note that due to the dangerous conditions caused by the hurricane, only emergency services may be provided if available resources can perform them safely. Otherwise, any services will be delayed until conditions improve. If it’s an emergency situation, members should contact 911.
Motlow EMT graduates two classes of paramedics
Multiple paramedics were honored during a graduation ceremony for two separate classes of Motlow State Community College students on Aug. 17. Sixteen students completed the program in 2020 but were unable to have a ceremony at that time due to the pandemic.
“One of the classes we are celebrating has been working for the last year,” said Motlow’s Director of Emergency Medical Services Houston Austin. “Converting to online courses for this program was unheard of before COVID. Nothing has slowed them down.”
“I have a standard in EMS. Would each of these individuals be able to take care of my own daughter? That is the highest standard I can hold them to, and I would absolutely trust any of them with that task,” Austin added.
About half of the 2020 class was unable to attend because they are already actively working in their field. From that class were Mt. Juliet residents Ashleigh Whaley and her husband Greg Whaley. Greg was one who was unable to attend.
The couple initially met when they were in EMT school together at MTSU in 2015. They also completed their advanced EMT together. They were married in 2017 before they started paramedic school.
“He originally wanted to wait and go to paramedic school after I completed it, but I convinced him to do it together and he was glad he did,” explained Ashleigh. They both attended classes at the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy. The Paramedic program is now available at Motlow’s Smyrna campus and is an essential career in high demand.
“We didn’t get divorced!” she joked, adding “We both enjoy helping people and we are good study partners. We have different study habits so we could feed off of each other in difficult moments.”
The pandemic wasn’t enough to stop the couple from achieving their goal. A good paramedic sometimes has to be innovative and that is just what they did after the tornado that devastated much of middle Tennessee in 2020 destroyed their Mt. Juliet home while they were still completing their education.
“We bought a camper and moved it to Shelbyville to be closer to campus,” explained Ashleigh.
Ashleigh currently works full time at Williamson EMS and Greg is full time at Wilson EMS. The field is in critical need of qualified people.
“Both employers paid us to go to paramedic school,” said Ashleigh. “The school is very time consuming. I recommend it to anyone who is a hard worker and is willing to miss time with their family and friends to really dedicate themselves to the demands of the education and training.”
The Whaleys are not the only one’s not afraid of a challenge. Gingin, West Australia native and current Nashville resident Callie Minton graduated with the 2021 class and was bestowed the class Leadership Award. She attended the program at the College’s Smyrna campus.
“I wanted a deeper knowledge of how to treat and care for people. I wanted an opportunity to be more than just an EMT,” Minton explained.
Time-management is also essential for successfully completing the Paramedic program. Minton does this all-too-well. She is currently working part time at three separate jobs: Mt. Juliet Fire Department as a firefighter, Life Flight as a medic, and the Wilson County EMA as a firefighter medic.
“We will never reach a point where we know everything; it is important to continue to challenge ourselves,” she said. “There is a lot of information presented in a short time. I did research outside of class because that is just part of the job.”
“I am glad that I switched from another institution to Motlow. I would definitely recommend their Paramedic program,” added Minton. “Motlow met what I was looking for, and the staff here is amazing! They are hard, but fair.”
Finally, the graduates can appreciate what they have accomplished as they prepare for, and for some even continue, their careers as valuable, highly-competent paramedics. From the time they started the program to the time it was finished, they completed 1200 hours of class time and more than 7,200 hours of clinical time to achieve their goals.
“To the families, we wouldn’t be here today without your support,” said Austin. Every student completed at least 600 hours of clinicals, which is time away from their family.
“Your hard work and dedication has paid off,” said the Dean of Motlow’s Nursing and Allied Health Department Dr. Amy Holder.
“Paramedics encounter human beings at their lowest points. The life of a paramedic is not easy, but it is worth it,” encouraged Holder, adding “Be the type of paramedic you would like to work with.”
For more information about Motlow’s EMS programs, contact info@mscc.edu.
2020 Graduating Class:
- Will Farris
- Tiara Greene – Top Clinical Award recipient
- Derek Horton
- Aaron Knapp
- Curtis Lane
- Derek Horton
- Taylor Marshall
- Nicole Petoskey
- Randal Potts
- Ryan Purdom
- Jenny Reynolds
- Bronson Slater – Top Academic Award recipient
- Michael Turner
- Fallon Washington
- Ashley Whaley
- Greg Whaley
2021 Graduating Class:
- Matt Ahrens
- Eli Beadle
- Joseph Farley
- Jonah Fettig
- Chad James – Top Clinical Award recipient
- Ruth Ann Johnson
- Callie Minton – Leadership Award recipient
- Nathan Piatt
- John Rutledge – Top Academic Award recipient
- Jefferey Schieber
- Zack Torres
- Adam Young
Coffee County Schools closed this week
Coffee County School System is taking extra days off this week to help alleviate COVID-19 concerns circulating within the system.
The school system will now be closing on Monday, Aug 30 through Wednesday, Sept. 1. This combined with already scheduled days off on Sept. 2 and 3 (Bonnaroo) and Sept. 6 (Labor Day) and two weekends, will give the system 10 consecutive days off in hopes of curbing spread of the COVID-19 virus among students.
In-season extra curricular activities such as sports will continue to happen as scheduled.
Manchester City Schools plans to continue ahead with normal schedule but they would continue to monitor COVID numbers very closely.
Below is the full statement from the county school system.
Due to COVID concerns, Coffee County Schools will be closed Monday – Wednesday, August 30, 31, and September 1. Combined with a scheduled teacher inservice on September 2, Bonnaroo Day on September 3, and Labor Day on September 6, students will report back to school on September 7. This closure is being made to allow students to be out of the buildings for ten consecutive days, the length of a typical quarantine or isolation period. Extracurricular student activities are being allowed to continue based upon the status of COVID spread within that particular group of students. Students and families should communicate with coaches, teachers, or advisors to ascertain any potential schedule changes for extracurricular activities. This decision was made in an attempt to provide our students with the most complete school experience possible. The district will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. The parent/guardian of any student unable to return to school on September 7 due to COVID-related concerns should contact the school nurse.
Remnants of Hurricane Ida could bring heavy rain, storms to Manchester by Tuesday
Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana early Sunday morning as a category 4 hurricane, and remnants of the storm are expected to impact Middle Tennessee as early as late Monday evening.
National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of Middle Tennessee that takes effect late Monday through early Wednesday. NWS added that slight shifts in the storm’s track could significantly change what areas receive the most rain and severe weather threats.
As of Sunday, National Weather Service predicts much of the midstate to receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts. Between 3-4 inches of rain is forecast to fall on Coffee County.
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT
In addition to heavy rainfall, severe weather is possible.
“We cannot rule out a strong to severe thunderstorm Monday into Tuesday, with teh main concerns being damaging winds and isolated tornadoes,” said NWS Nashville office. “The main threat appears to be south of I-40.”
BONNAROO COMPLICATIONS
Remnants of Ida are expected to push through Middle Tennessee as a tropical depression. Timing of Tuesday into Wednesday coincides with gates opening for Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
Bonnaroo posted on its social media channels and informed fans to be prepared for very wet conditions and possibly slower traffic upon entry.
Thunder Radio transforms into Bonnaroo Radio at 6 am Tuesday
Your Community Radio Station – Thunder Radio – is partnering with Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival to become the official station of Radio Bonnaroo for the 2021 festival.
What does that mean?
At 6 a.m. Tuesday, Thunder Radio programming will transition to Bonnaroo Radio programming and will remain that way until noon on Monday, Sept. 6.
Radio Bonnaroo will feature Bonnaroo music, artist interviews, emergency announcements for festival goers, traffic information and more.
“This is a great way to connect Manchester’s locally owned radio station with the Bonnaroo festival,” said Thunder Radio co-owner Josh Peterson. “We are excited for this partnership.”
During this time, regular Thunder Radio programming will not be aired – such as Swap & Shop, The Morning Show, Rick & Bubba, Dan Bongino and others. Don’t worry – regular programming returns at noon Monday, Sept. 6.
“Of course our news coverage will continue at thunder1320.com and we will post any breaking news there and on the Thunder Radio Facebook page,” added Peterson. “And, of course, our coverage of ball games will continue through our many stream channels where folks can listen directly from our website. We will post links each day to where folks can hear their favorite local ball game!”
Thunder Radio personnel will remain at the studio – call anytime at 931-728-1320.
Bonnaroo traffic to begin arriving this week
The annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival returns to Manchester Sept. 2-5 – with gates opening as early as Tuesday for some campers.
This year, in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, Bonnaroo had campers select Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday to enter the festival campground area. By doing so, organizers hope to avoid long lines of festival goers lining up at the gates.
This year’s festival is sold out.
Traffic patterns will be altered somewhat for this year’s festival. TDOT closed the temporary “Bonnaroo 112” exit that was allowing some traffic to exit directly off the interstate into the campgrounds.
Coffee County Schools to take 10 days off due to COVID concerns
Coffee County School System announced Thursday that it would be taking extra days off over the coming week to help alleviate COVID-19 concerns circulating within the system.
The school system will now be closing on Monday, Aug 30 through Wednesday, Sept. 1. This combined with already scheduled days off on Sept. 2 and 3 (Bonnaroo) and Sept. 6 (Labor Day) and two weekends, will give the system 10 consecutive days off in hopes of curbing spread of the COVID-19 virus among students.
In-season extra curricular activities such as sports will continue to happen as scheduled.
Thunder Radio News reached out to Manchester City Schools and we were told that, for now, city schools plans to continue ahead with normal schedule but they would continue to monitor COVID numbers very closely.
Below is the full statement from the county school system.
Due to COVID concerns, Coffee County Schools will be closed Monday – Wednesday, August 30, 31, and September 1. Combined with a scheduled teacher inservice on September 2, Bonnaroo Day on September 3, and Labor Day on September 6, students will report back to school on September 7. This closure is being made to allow students to be out of the buildings for ten consecutive days, the length of a typical quarantine or isolation period. Extracurricular student activities are being allowed to continue based upon the status of COVID spread within that particular group of students. Students and families should communicate with coaches, teachers, or advisors to ascertain any potential schedule changes for extracurricular activities. This decision was made in an attempt to provide our students with the most complete school experience possible. The district will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. The parent/guardian of any student unable to return to school on September 7 due to COVID-related concerns should contact the school nurse.
Coffee County good Samaritans collect 3 semi-truck loads of donations for flood victims
Leaders with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Manchester Fire Department and Circuit Court Clerk’s office set out earlier this week to collect one tractor trailer load of items to take to flood victims in Humphreys County.
Goal accomplished – and then some.
Overrun with donations from Coffee County good Samaritans and donations pouring in from counties as far away as Lincoln County, organizers took three tractor trailers full of donations to Humphreys County late Wednesday afternoon. Items donated ran the gamut from dog and cat food to diapers, foods, Gatorade, shovels, sun screens, hygiene items, water and other necessities.
Reactions poured in on the Thunder Radio Facebook page from flood victims in Humphreys County.
“Man this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much, Coffee County, we need it, our town is destroyed,” said Lisa Mullinax.
Added Jenny Ross: “Thank you so much for helping our town.”
Humphreys County was destroyed by flooding over the weekend, with up to 18 inches of rain falling in a 24-hour period – shattering rainfall amount records for one day in Tennessee.
