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.

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  

  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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund “Circuit Breaker” Program Read more

Use the following free local and national resources to make the most of your money Read more