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We are building a coalition to encourage wider use of the Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credits by eligible families. We do this by encouraging the growth of free AARP/IRS/VITA tax preparation sites and by offering Asset Building trainings to low income families.

Description:
Earned Income Tax Credits are a form of assistance provided to low income working individuals and families that can be used to lower tax liability and even provide a significant cash refund. Unfortunately, a large percentage of eligible recipients never even know to apply for this credit. Further, many who do apply spend a significant portion of their return to pay for tax preparation and refund anticipation loans. We are recruiting volunteers to take IRS-sponsored training to offer free tax services at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP sites. These sites will also offer training and counseling services to those taxpayers who need assistance in forming budgets and using their returns to further the development of a stable family asset base. Asset building training uses the established programs and resources of Penquis C.A.P. and Washington-Hancock Community Agency.

History:
A federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) grant has funded the the EITC and Asset Building Program since 2005. Penquis C.A.P. and Washington-Hancock Community Agency were formed pursuant to the Economic Development Act of 1964 and work to combat poverty in some of the poorest and most rural areas of Maine.The CA$H/EM coalition (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope in Eastern Maine)includes AARP, United Way of Eastern Maine, Casey Family Services, Penobscot Federal Credit Union , Key bank, Pine Tree Legal Services, the IRS, and others interested in this effort.

Contact person: Paul Matulis, EITC And Asset Building Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

262 Harlow St. Bangor, ME 04402 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.penquiscap.org

Directions:

Our office is 200yds. north and on the opposite side of Harlow St. from the Bangor Public Library. For maps or information, please see http://www.portlandmaine.worldweb.com/Transportation/PublicTransit

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