ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood District Hospital has been granted approximately $200,000 in tax credits which can be purchased for the 2011 and 2012 tax years. The tax credits will give the participant a 70 percent state tax credit, and a 100 percent federal tax deduction.

Michelle Kowalsky of the Ellinwood Area Health Foundation said in a letter that they anticipate that the credits will go fast. Once sold, this will give the hospital approximately $275,000 toward a $400,000 clinic renovation.

The last time the credits were offered was in 2006. At that time, the credits were used to update the hospital’s air conditioning, electrical, replumbing, some new windows, and a disabled accessible patient shower room.

"Basically, we’ll do a clinic update and remodel," said Lloyd Kurtz, treasurer of the hospital board of directors and chairmen of the tax credit committee. "If you have tax liability, you buy tax credits, and then the hospital gets the money."

"You need to talk to your accountant to make sure you’re looking at all the right angles," said Kurtz. "Before you buy tax credits, talk to an accountant."

Individuals, C-Corps, S-Corps, Partnerships, LLCs, Trust Companies, and Banks and other financial institutions qualify. The minimum amount that can be purchased is $250.

The tax credit program is funded through the Kansas Community Service Program, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce to give non-profit organizations the ability to improve fundraising capabilities.

For more information, call Lloyd Kurtz at 620-564-3461.