Helpful links

CA$H Maine (outside of GP): www.cashmaine.org

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CA$H Greater Portland is an initiative of:

 

Thank you for helping CA$H Greater Portland tell everyone about our free tax preparation events.

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Where can I share this information?

(click on the link for outreach materials)

FACTS

Who is CA$H?

  • CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Greater Portland is a program of United Way of Greater Portland and the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition--non- and for-profit partners helping families and individuals find ways to make the most of their money. CA$H Greater Portland fact sheet (PDF)
  • CA$H Greater Portand's free tax preparation program is an initiative of the Internal Revenue Service--free tax preparation is available throughout the country.
  • CA$H events connect low-income working families and individuals to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Why free tax preparation?

  • Save $175 (average) by not using a paid preparer
  • Avoid fees from "same-day refunds": everyone can get their refund for FREE in 8-14 days (with direct deposit into a bank account).
  • Keep every dollar you qualify for on your refund...all volunteers are certified by the IRS.
  • Find out about additional community programs that help you make the most of your money.

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

  • The EITC is a federal, refundable tax credit that is considered the largest anti-poverty program in the country.
  • Every year, 21% of those who qualify for the EITC do not claim it. In Cumberland County, $4 million in EITC's are left unclaimed every year.
  • Why is the EITC left unclaimed? Those who qualify for the EITC don't know about it, and applying for the credit is complicated. The IRS requires individuals to complete a 1040 form, not the "1040 EZ", to get the credit.
  • You may qualify for the EITC if: You worked in 2011, earned less than $46,000 (single) or $49,000 (married) and had a dependent; OR you worked in 2011, earned less than $13,660 (single) or $18,000 (married) and did not have a dependent living with you. Click on this IRS link to see the EITC qualifications.
  • The maximum EITC is $5,751--the average returned in 2011 was $1,200.
  • The EITC was created in 1975 to help minimize the impact of Social Security taxes.

How do I get my taxes prepared for free?

  1. Collect income tax documents for ALL income received in 2011, including forms from employment (W-2), other income/unemployment received (1099), and mortgage, student loan, and tuition statements (1098).
  2. Collect Social Security cards for each person you will identify on your tax return. Missing card? Visit the Social Security Administration office in Portland.
  3. Call 2-1-1 to get the phone number of a tax site near you. Tax sites throughout Greater Portland.
  4. Call the tax site to schedule an appointment. Please let us know if you need an interpreter or have an ADA request.

OUTREACH MATERIALS

Meetings and events:

CA$H Greater Portland, a program at United Way of Greater Portland, will be offering free tax preparation to qualifying households from January 21-March 10, 2012 in Portland and Westbrook. Anyone making less than $50,000 should consider this service: you save money by not using a paid preparer, avoid income tax filing fees, and will keep every dollar you qualify for on your refund. Every volunteer tax preparer is certified by the IRS. Individuals with a dependent could receive up to $5,751 from the Earned Income Tax Credit, and everyone can get their refund in 8-14 days with direct deposit. Other free tax preparation events will be held in almost every community in Maine thanks to partnerships with AARP Tax-Aide and CA$H Maine. In addition to free tax preparation, CA$H volunteers will help clients find ways to make the most of their money, including apply for the Maine Property Tax and Rent Refund. For more information, visit CA$H Greater Portland’s Web site at www.cashgp.org.

Use our CA$H facts to provide additional information.

Public displays and mailings:

Email and listserv communications, Web sites and newsletters:

Keep every dollar you qualify for on your income tax refund

FREE tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers. Receive up to $5,751 from the Earned Income Tax Credit* and have your refund in 8-14 days with direct deposit.

Follow these steps to get your income tax return prepared for FREE:

1. Collect income tax documents for ALL income received in 2011, including forms from employment (W-2), other income/unemployment received (1099), and mortgage, student loan, and tuition statements (1098).

2. Collect Social Security cards for each person you will identify on your tax return. Missing card? Visit the Social Security Administration office in Portland.

3. Call 2-1-1 to get the phone number of a tax site near you. Tax sites throughout Greater Portland.

4. Call the tax site to schedule an appointment. Please let us know if you need an interpreter or have an ADA request.

Program qualifications: you worked in 2011 and earned less than $50,000 (household).

*Earned Income Tax Credit Qualifications: You worked in 2011, earned less than $46,000 (single) or $49,000 (married) and had a dependent living with you; OR you worked in 2011, earned less than $13,660 (single) or $18,000 (married) and do not have a dependent. Public benefit programs do not count this refund as income for one year.

Free tax preparation is provided by CA$H Greater Portland, a program at United Way of Greater Portland, and the Greater Portland CA$H Coalition: Internal Revenue Service, Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, AARP Tax-Aide, Women, Work and Community, KeyBank, Goodwill Industries of NNE, Portland Housing Authority, and Pine Tree Legal Assistance. Thank you to our generous sponsors: United Way of Greater Portland, Internal Revenue Service, Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, KeyBank, Gorham Savings Bank, Casco Federal Credit Union, Anthony’s Italian Kitchen and East Brown Cow. Visit us at www.cashgp.org.

Social media:

  • Tweet (general): @CASHGP Free #tax prep by #IRS-cert. volunteers. Keep every $ you qualify for. Dial 211 for sites. bit.ly/cashgp #maine
  • Tweet (EITC):@CASHGP Raising a child? Get <$5,751 from #EITC. Free #tax prep by #IRS-cert. volunteers. Dial 211 for sites. bit.ly/cashgp #maine
  • Facebook (general): Keep every dollar you qualify for on your income tax refund. Free tax preparation by CA$H Greater Portland if your household made less than $50,000 in 2011. Contact 2-1-1 Maine to find a tax site near you.
  • Facebook (EITC): Did you know that if you are raising a child, you could get up to $5,751 from Earned Income Tax Credit? Find out if you qualify and get your taxes prepared for free by CA$H Greater Portland's IRS-certified volunteers. Contact 2-1-1 Maine to find a tax site near you. http://1.usa.gov/casheitc

If you need further assistance, please contact Nicole Evans (nevans@unitedwaygp.org) at 207-874-1000, ext. 2326.