The big payback: Time is running short for delinquent taxpayers to take advantage of Louisiana’s latest tax amnesty period. The Department of Revenue’s amnesty program that began on Oct. 15 wraps up today. People can settle state tax debts with half the interest they would otherwise owe and no penalties charged. They can pay through a six-month installment plan if that helps make the debt more manageable, but they can’t use tax credits to resolve their back-owed taxes. An estimated 450,000 taxpayers owe $1.8 billion in Louisiana taxes. Details about the amnesty program are available online.
Paying it forward: Capital One Bank has announced it is donating $100,000 to the Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System to launch a new initiative called STEMup Baton Rouge, which aims to reach more than 800 local public school students. The initiative will provide mentors from local corporations and educational institutions to focus on STEM-related careers (science, technology, engineering and math) through student mentoring. Mentors will follow a national curriculum called Engineering Everywhere to provide students with project-based, hands-on learning opportunities in STEM fields.
Feeling refreshed: Winn-Dixie says it recently completed significant remodeling projects on two area stores, one at 13002 Coursey Blvd. in Baton Rouge and the other at 17682 Airline Highway in Prairieville. Both stores feature an updated look, expanded departments, and hot food and fresh sushi bars, as well as new deli departments and enhanced bakeries. The Coursey location also features a new olive bar, and the Prairieville location has added a drive-thru pharmacy. Winn-Dixie did not disclose how much it spent on the renovations.
