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.