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Local organizers, legislators, kick off free tax assistance program

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FARMINGTON – A coalition of local community organizations, businesses and governmental agencies met today to announce the beginning of the 7th annual free tax preparation program.

Western Maine CA$H, which stands for Creating Assets, Savings and Hope, offers programs to help people succeed financially, offering courses and education on budgeting, saving money, account management and tax preparation.

The program consists of community volunteers, many of them students at the University of Maine at Farmington, who are trained and then certified by the Internal Revenue Service to help people prepare their taxes for filing. Members of Western Maine CA$H say that the volunteers are often able to help families claim benefits that they didn’t know existed.

“We have continued to grow each year,” said Janet Smith, who is the workforce development coordinator with Women, Work & Community. “But we know there are more people that could benefit from this service.”

Last year, Western Maine CA$H helped prepare 182 tax returns for local Mainers, who received $416,699 in tax refunds and credits. Any working family making less than $50,000 a year can call (207) 778-7954 and schedule an appointment.

Deb Auch, who runs a small business in Strong, said that she had first become involved with the coalition seven years ago, when the first tax preparation assistance program was held. During her appointment, she said she noticed a poster about Family Development Accounts. Through that program, eligible people can deposit their earned money in an account and have it matched, as long as they are investing in their business, education or home. Auch used money gained through her account to invest in her business.

Now a director at the Western Maine Community Action, Auch said that the CA$H coalition had a lot to offer people in need of financial education.

“All of this revolved around getting our taxes done,” she said.

Rep. Tom Saviello (U – Wilton), Rep. Paul Gilbert (D – Jay) and Sen. Walter Gooley (R – Farmington) all spoke of the importance of the tax preparation program.

“I think it’s an excellent program,” Gilbert said. He noted that he himself had worked as a tax preparation volunteer, and that the program is confidential, free and conducted by well-trained people.

“It’s phenomenal,” Saviello agreed. “And it’s free. It’s free.”

Saviello also congratulated UMF Professor Frank Engert, whose students make up the bulk of the volunteers for the program. Engert, for his part, noted that the program offered an opportunity for his students to practice some skills learned in class, volunteer for their community and become IRS certified for tax preparation.

Gooley noted that in tight economic times, programs such as those run through the CA$H Coalition were essential.

Those interested in having their taxes prepared should call 778-7954 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Jan. 24 – March 21 on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Western Maine CA$H Coalition includes: University of Maine, Farmington, Women, Work & Community, Casey Family Services, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, Franklin County Adult Education, Bangor Savings Bank, Western Maine Community Action, Healthy Community Coalition, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Community Concepts, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The Internal Revenue Service.


Members of the Western Maine CA$H coalition kick off their annual free tax preparation program with local members of the state Legislature. In the front (from left to right), Western Maine Community Action Director Deb Auch, Becky Davis-Allen with Bangor Savings Bank, United Way of the Tri-County Area’s Executive Director Lisa Laflin, WMCA Community Service Specialist Cindy Brophy and Janet Smith, the workforce development coordinator with Women, Work & Community. In the back (from left to right), Sen. Walter Gooley, Rep. Paul Gilbert, Rep. Tom Saviello, UMF Business Professor Frank Engert and Internal Revenue Services’ Gary Dunlap.

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