CA$H Maine

Build your resume doing good

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:35:08 +0000

Every so often you get the chance to do good by everyone…. even yourself. CA$H Maine can make it happen. Volunteer as an IRS-certified Tax Preparer or as a Greeter and Asset Coach. We provide free IRS-certified training, you get a marketable skill and the priceless satisfaction of helping your neighbors who earn a low- to moderate-income. And all it takes is 3 hours a week, for at least 4 or 5 weeks during tax season. Find a coalition near you to get started as a volunteer.

Are you leaving money on the table? Get your income taxes prepared for free!

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:36:46 +0000

Make the most of your money. Stop paying to get your taxes prepared, and find out if you qualify for tax credits that you didn’t know you qualified for. If you, or your household, made $50,000 or less in 2011, get your income taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers! Find a coalition near you to schedule an appointment.

Thousands of Mainers benefit from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:31:39 +0000

The Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) Maine coalition has wrapped up another record-breaking tax season, helping 3,635 taxpayers file federal and state income taxes that resulted in nearly $7 million worth of federal refunds going

With such a great commitment from hundreds of volunteers and community and business partners, CA$H Maine was able to reach more individuals and families in the low- to moderate-income bracket and increased the amount of returns filed by about 12 percent from last year. Plus, more than $2.3 million worth of Earned Income Tax Credits were returned to the local economy. The EITC is the federal government’s largest anti-poverty program. The benefit is intended to reduce the tax burden on those workers and supplement wages.
“The service continues to serve a crucial need in Maine, with the average wage of those served at about $26,000, every little bit saved during the tax preparation process makes a world of difference,” said Sharon Ross, Project Director and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Grant Manager with Volunteers of America Northern New England.

Plus, volunteers help make the process less intimidating, as one client said, “I am like a fish out of water. Taxes [are]… definitely hard for me even just to get through the basics. These guys (CA$H volunteers) were really on top of it.”

CA$H Maine aims to help low- and moderate-income Mainers make the most of their money and find financial stability. This year, financial empowerment partners Women, Work and Community; Coastal Enterprises; Pine Tree Legal and Money Management International helped connect hundreds of Mainers with financial asset-building resources like budgeting workshops, family development accounts, free credit report reviews, foreclosure assistance and small business workshops.

To help underserve Mainers, the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition partnered with REI and the Maine Center on Deafness, and to prepare income tax returns (via video phone) for deaf clients throughout the state of Maine. Plus, the Portland coalition and Lewiston-Auburn CA$H coalition offer translation services to clients with limited English proficiency.

This year, CA$H Maine welcomed its ninth member coalition, the Maine Wabanaki CA$H Coalition, which serves Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy reservation in Washington County and the Maliseet Reservation in Aroostook County. Volunteers from this coalition have been serving Penobscot Nation taxpayers for three years.

Given the current state of the economy, CA$H Maine anticipates an even greater need during the 2012 tax season. To find out how you can help out, visit our volunteer page.

You May Qualify for FREE Tax Prep!

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:51:55 +0000

Since 2002, the York County CA$H Free Tax Prep program has helped more than 1800 eligible York County residents collect nearly $4 million in federal and state tax refunds at IRS-sponsored VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites in Sanford, Biddeford, Limerick and Kittery.

This service is strictly confidential.

CA$H Coaches are also available to inform filers about smart ways to grow their refunds, with opportunities like matched savings accounts, future homeownership, training for higher paying careers, money-management skill-building, resources for business start-up or expansion, and much more!

You may be eligible for our Free Tax Prep Service if you meet just one of the following:

1. You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or

2. You participate in any YCCAC income-eligible programs

Starting January 10^th, call the Tax Prep Line at 207-324-5762 ext. 2718 or toll-free in Maine, 1-800-965-5762 ext. 2718.

Our eligibility specialist will either answer or contact you within two business days to screen you for this valuable service that could save you hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees!

You can receive your return within 10 days of filing!

Our highly qualified volunteer tax preparers undergo 40 hours of training. Each has received IRS Certification; many have been volunteering with us for several years. All returns are “double-checked” before being electronically filed with the IRS.

Struggling families get help from Volunteer Tax Assistance Program

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:45:19 +0000

Families struggling just to make ends meet shouldn’t have to pay to get their tax refund and, in Maine, they don’t – thanks to the Maine Creating Assets Savings, and Hope (CA$H) Coalition. This tax season, the Midcoast CA$H Coalition will make filing taxes in the Midcoast area less taxing by offering free tax preparation from Jan. 24-April 12, 2011 to anyone who earned less than $50,000 in 2010 (combined income).
“Thanks to our trained and IRS-certified crew of volunteer tax preparers our free tax services can help low-wage families keep and save more of their hard-earned money,” said Sharon Ross, Grants Manager and Program Director at Volunteers of America. “The people we serve work hard but struggle to make ends meet. Many are single-parents. They are fishermen, teachers, soldiers, secretaries, cashiers, students, mechanics… some are unemployed, disabled or even homeless. And, like many Mainers, they must work two or more jobs just to get by. Their tax refund is likely the largest lump sum they will receive all year. It is often their best chance to stop the cycle of debt in its tracks thanks largely to credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), worth up to $5,666 this year.”
To help families make the most of their refund, our volunteers also help connect them to community resources like free budgeting workshops, small business workshops, free credit counseling, connections to matched savings account programs, and more, and all offered by our more than 17 partners.

Free tax preparation appointments are available in Bath, Brunswick, Topsham, Richmond and Wiscasset through April 12, 2011. For appointments, people can call 319-1390.

This year the coalition has strong support from many area businesses and organizations, including Downeast Energy, Bowdoin College, the United Way Mid Coast Maine and Midcoast Maine Community Action.

This year, the Internal Revenue Service is again supporting a statewide effort to promote awareness of the EITC through an IRS matching grant to the CA$H Maine Coalitions, which is fiscally managed by Volunteers of America Northern New England. Additional support is provided by grants from KeyBank and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

The Midcoast CA$H coalition has helped bring more than $1 million worth of funds back to the Midcoast area since 2007. Midcoast Maine CA$H members include: Annie E.Casey Foundation; Border Trust; Bowdoin College; Brunswick Housing Authority; Casey Family Services; Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Maine; Downeast Energy; Goodwill Industries; Internal Revenue Service; Kennebec Intra-District Schools; Key Bank; Merrymeeting Adult Education; Midcoast Maine Community Action; RSU1 Adult Education; United Way of Mid Coast Maine; University College at Bath/Brunswick; U.S. Department of HUD; Volunteers of America; and Women, Work and Community.

1,500 served by CA$H Lewiston-Auburn for tax season 2010!

admin — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:19:52 +0000

Approximately 1,500 low-moderate income workers were assisted with FREE tax-preparation of their 2009 taxes. This effort brought almost $2,000,000 to our community in Federal Refunds and almost $400,00 in State refunds.

Not only did these families receive FREE state and federal tax preparation, they had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with asset-building coaches and learn about maximizing their returns and how to prepare for a “greener” financial future.

Get more information at : http://www.ci.lewiston.me.us/news/eitc

1,500 served by CA$H Lewiston-Auburn for tax season 2010!

admin — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:19:52 +0000

Get more information at : http://www.ci.lewiston.me.us/news/eitc

Central Maine CA$H volunteers needed

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:38:15 +0000

Help People in Central Maine Find Ways to Make the Most of their Money!

Central Maine CA$H, serving families and individuals throughout Central Maine, is looking for volunteers for our 2011 free tax preparation sites. Training begins soon! To volunteer, call 873-0686 or email debra@unitedwaymidme.org.

Central Maine CA$H volunteers needed

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:38:15 +0000

Help People in Central Maine Find Ways to Make the Most of their Money!

Earn-While-You-Learn

admin — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:38:04 +0000

A 4 Class Power of Small Change Program for those who use the services of YCCAC or DHHS.

Participants invest $15 or $25 ($25 or $40 per couple), complete all 4 classes and double their investment. That’s right get back $30, $50 or $80 just for attending! We have set aside a few ”free” slots for those who have no money to invest.

Classe topics include: Setting aside money for emergencies or “life happens” fund, turning small change into big change, building/repairing credit: decreasing debt, eating healthier on a budget, avoiding the cost of pay day loans and check cashing services, having a more meaningful holiday by spending less.

Registration Deadline is November 17. Contact: Tory at 324-5762 x2951 or toryl@yccac.org