Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Financial Asset Building

Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CA$H) Maine is a collaboration of 11 statewide coalitions and the IRS, comprised of 50 nonprofit and business partners, working together to help low- and moderate-income Mainers make the most of their money. CA$H Maine offers free tax preparation to qualified filers during the tax season with IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers, and connects residents to financial education resources with volunteer asset coaches, including financial education and home-buying workshops, Family Development Accounts (FDAs) and credit counseling.

In 2012, 267 volunteers statewide helped nearly 4,000 Mainers file their taxes, bringing more than $6 million in federal and state refunds back to the Maine economy. The first two of the CA$H Maine Coalitions were established in the fall of 2002 in York and Franklin counties. Now there are 11 coalitions statewide, from York to Aroostook. 

Thank you to our donors, partners and sponsors!
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Tax Volunteers Help Mainers Access $2.6 million in tax credits in 2012

The CA$H Maine Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalitions, including the Midcoast coalition, have much to celebrate after the 2012 tax season came to close in April. The nine coalitions helped nearly 4,000 taxpayers in Maine file their taxes and learn ways to make the most of their hard-earned money. Dedicated volunteers helped these taxpayers access crucial tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Credit, bringing back to the state economy about $2.4 million worth of federal tax credits, and a total...

Senator Snowe Impressed with Volunteer-based Free Tax Prep Program

The York County Creating Assets, Savings and Hope Coalition was pleased to introduce Senator Olympia Snowe to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in January during a volunteer training at York County Community Action agency. The VITA program is offered by nine CA$H Maine coalitions statewide and is supported by a VITA grant from the IRS, which is fiscally managed by Volunteers of America.

Volunteer Lyla Ross Helps Make Taxes a Lot Less Taxing

“Homeless teen” and “college bound” are two phrases you don’t hear a lot in one sentence. But Gary Canter of Portland, Maine, has been helping make it happen for several homeless teens in Maine. Lyla Ross is a bright spirit. She has been a long-time volunteer for Volunteers of America’s Midcoast Creating Assets Savings and Hope (CA$H) Coalition who greets clients at the front door and helps make their tax day calmer and more rewarding. The Coalition helps low- and moderate-income Maine families and individuals improve their financial stability through free tax preparation and financial asset building.

Tax Coalition honored with United Way Community Builder Award

The Midcoast Maine Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) coalition was honored on May 26 with a Community Builder Award during the United Way of Mid Coast Maine Annual Meeting. The award recognizes and celebrates a community nonprofit or coalition that exemplifies the spirit of giving back to their community.