A follow-up on high car tag costs in Mississippi shows major differences in what drivers pay depending on where they live, even across the street, according to new data from the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office.

The data highlights large price gaps across the metro area, with some residents paying hundreds of dollars more based solely on location and county lines.

The State Auditor’s Office data shows that at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, a car tag costs $571.64. At Trails at Northpointe Apartments directly across the street, the same tag rises to $1,490.48.

The highest cost in the region is $1,676.30 at Yazoo Estates, while the lowest is $343.30 in the Oakfield neighborhood.

Resident Keith Bush said he has experienced the difference firsthand.

“When I lived in Hinds County, my car tag started at $1,500,” Bush said.

Now living at Ridgeland Ranch Apartments, Bush said his cost is significantly lower.

Bush said, “I don’t want to tell you the exact price, but it is under $200.”

State Rep. Ronnie Crudup Jr. of District 71 says the high costs in Hinds County are an ongoing issue tied to local financial obligations, including school infrastructure.

Crudup said, “We all know that we got the highest tags. I think even in Hans County, and uh, you know, a lot of that is due to, I guess, our, our, our population in, in our school building.”

He added that part of the cost comes from maintaining unused school buildings in the Jackson Public Schools system.

Crudup said, “You know, some of the schools are closed. The schools are still on their books right now, because they’re still responsible for the buildings and the maintenance and all that type of thing. I think as they come off their books. I think there’s a chance then that we’ll be able to reduce the price of the car tags.”

Bush said, “That would be great. I think a lot of people will have some ideas of where they want to move.”

Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1395, which has already passed both chambers. The bill would speed up the sale of unused school buildings, which supporters say could reduce costs, limit delays, and open the door for redevelopment.

In a statement, Jackson Public Schools said, “Jackson Public Schools is committed to the strategic repurposing of surplus properties to strengthen communities and improve the district’s financial position, guided by thoughtful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a focus on long-term impact for our scholars and families.

We are also grateful to the Mississippi Legislature, and especially the Hinds County Delegation, for their advocacy and support of this legislative change, which provides school districts with greater flexibility to better serve our scholars and community.”

Officials said if the bill is signed into law, it could help reduce long-term costs. For now, the data shows that where you live still plays a major role in how much you pay for a car tag.

Are you missing out on free money? The IRS estimates that 1.3 million Americans are missing out on their 2022 income tax refunds because they haven’t filed their taxes. That totals about $1.2 billion in unclaimed money.

Many taxpayers are missing out on income tax returns because they haven’t filed. Some are years late.

The final deadline to be eligible is April 15. If people miss it, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.

How many people in Mississippi could get a check?

According to the IRS, Mississippi taxpayers are owed about $9.9 million.

Approximately 11,800 people who haven’t filed their 2022 taxes could get a refund. The median amount is $635, so half of refunds could be more than that.

What if I didn’t file my 2022 taxes? When is the deadline?

You have until April 15, 2026, to file back-year returns.

The IRS said you might still be eligible for the check, but only people who have filed their taxes will get one.

If you owe money or haven’t filed for 2023 or 2024 tax years, your check could be held. The money could also be garnished for unpaid child support or federal student loans.

People also have to file their 2025 taxes to get any refunds that might be owed.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

MANDEVILLE, La. — Kids Markets, a youth-run pop-up market that helps children operate small businesses, is looking to expand into southeast Mississippi and the Gulf Coast by partnering with existing community events, including farmers markets. 

Trista Allain, who manages Kids Markets events in the New Orleans area, said the goal is to connect with local Mississippi organizers and build the program by adding youth vendors to established markets and community gatherings. 

Allain said giving children the chance to run their own booths helps them practice real-world skills and build confidence as young entrepreneurs. 

“The goal for these kids in the long run is to give them the opportunity to see what it’s like to have lifelong experiences, money management, communication skills,” Allain said. “It helps them to build that as a general foundation for them going forward into adulthood.” 

Kids Markets is a farmers market run entirely by children ages 5-17, with vendors selling a variety of goods, including food, drinks, handmade crafts and jewelry, according to the organization’s website. The group started in 2017 in Utah and has expanded to 360 cities, with 80,000 youth entrepreneurs participating. 

Families who already attend Kids Markets said they would consider traveling to Mississippi if markets are launched there. 

Jayde Pinestraw, 13, of Hammond, Louisiana, was one of the vendors at a Kids Markets event March 28 at the Mandeville Trailhead Community Farmers Market in Mandeville, Louisiana. She helped sell baked treats at her family’s booth, The Cake Drop LLC. 

Jayde said being able to sell at Kids Markets has given her a boost in confidence and helped her connect with other vendors her age. 

“My favorite part is getting to meet new people and interacting and being more confident with talking to people,” Jayde said. 

Her father, Jarrad Pinestraw, said the markets have had a positive impact on his children by pushing them to interact with people and practice skills that they carry beyond the booth.

“This is actually our maybe fifth or sixth market with the Kids Market, and I think it’s helped tremendously with their confidence,” Jarrad said. “Before we started, they were very shy, but now they have more people skills. They learn to be more independent, and they also learn how to communicate in general with other people.” 

Jarrad said that if Kids Markets expands into Mississippi, his family would be interested in attending those markets to grow The Cake Drop. 

Allain said the current goal is to find and partner with local Mississippi events to help Kids Markets gain traction. Residents can find future Kids Markets locations and more information by visiting the Kids Markets Facebook page or the organization’s website. 

This article first appeared on RHCJC and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.