April 12, 2012
A letter to graduates from Gov. Sam Brownback
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Spring 2012
Dear Potential Graduate:
As you graduate from Kansas State University, I know you'll have several options to consider regarding your career and where to live. Here are two you should put at the top of your list:
1. Live tax free in Kansas.
2. Pay down your student debt.
The state of Kansas has designated 50 counties as Rural Opportunity Zones, and you may qualify to take advantage of one or both of these financial incentives.
The first incentive allows out-of-state residents to move to an opportunity zones county and pay no Kansas state income tax for up to five years. The second incentive allows anyone who graduates from an accredited, postsecondary institution and is carrying student loan debt to qualify for up to $15,000 in repayments over five years after moving. This second incentive is open to Kansas residents and nonresidents alike.
I think you'll find these incentives offer you a significant financial advantage as you begin your post-college career. Companies throughout the state have created almost 22,000 new private sector jobs since 2011, and the state is working hard to ensure a strong and vibrant Kansas for generations to come.
Go to www.KansasCommerce.com/TaxFree to learn more about this amazing program, see detailed profiles of participating counties, and find out about eligibility requirements and the application process.
There's never been a better time to make Kansas your new home. It's an ideal place to live, work and raise a family. I hope you'll strongly consider joining the opportunity zones program as you plan the next chapter in your life. Congratulations on your graduation!
Sincerely,
Sam Brownback
Governor of Kansas