FARMINGTON – A Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will provide tax assistance to families in the area who qualify for the earned income tax credit at no charge.

The program operated in Farmington for the first time last year. The site prepared nearly 100 tax returns for Franklin County families.

“I was thrilled to have my taxes done for free; they helped me save more money than I expected,” said Betty Smith of Farmington.

Tax returns will be prepared at the Farmington Adult Basic Education Center. There will also be a few limited dates when taxes will be prepared in Stratton and Phillips.

Not all eligible households take advantage of the earned income tax credit. The EITC could help families that have two or more children and earned less than $33,692 in 2003 earn up to $4,204 on their tax refund. Families that earned less than $29,666 in 2003 with one child can expect to receive a refund of up to $2,547. Individuals, who earned less than $11,230 in 2003 have no children and are between the ages of 25 and 65, can receive up to $382. Families can also take advantage of family development accounts. The accounts are offered to people who want to save money to buy a house, pay for education, or start or expand a small business. Families and individuals will have the opportunity to take financial management class, learning ways to save and manage money. The family development accounts will match every dollar a family saves with $2 from public investors.

The program is offered by Casey Family services in Portland, a division of Annie Casey Foundation, in conjunction with Western Maine Community Action, a nonprofit agency providing services to people in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

Anyone who is interested in participating in the program as a volunteer tax preparer or as a greeter, training is offered, or who would like to use the program this year to receive a tax credit should contact Dawn Girardin at 645-3764 ext. 5258.

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