Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Financial Asset Building

Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CA$H) Maine is a collaboration of nine statewide coalitions and the IRS, comprised of 50 nonprofit and business partners, working together to help low- and moderate-income Mainers make the most of their money. CA$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 2011, hundreds of volunteers statewide helped more than 3,610 Mainers file their taxes, bringing nearly $7 million back to the Maine economy. The first of the CA$H Maine Coalitions was established in the fall of 2002 in York and Franklin counties. Now there are nine coalitions statewide.

Want to Volunteer?
Visit the CA$H Maine web site to find out how you can help a coalition near you.

Need help with your tax return?
Visit the CA$H Maine web site to find a coalition near you.

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.