LEWISTON – Low- and middle-income workers are being urged to take advantage of local tax help and federal tax benefits again this year.

Lewiston and Auburn officials, members of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and the Internal Revenue Service met Tuesday morning to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit and announce a slate of state and federal income tax preparation days.

“During the approaching tax season, it is important to highlight the fact that a 2004 tax return could yield up to $4,300 in EITC benefits for those eligible,” said Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay.

The tax credit is available to low- and middle-income workers. It’s designed to reduce their tax burden, supplement their wages and help families stay off government aid.

This is the second year that the Twin Cities have helped promote the tax credit and offered free tax return preparation, Guay said. Tax experts prepared 336 tax returns as part of the effort last year and returned $262,416 in EITC benefits to local families.

Free services

Free tax return preparation will be offered on Tuesday evenings from Jan. 25 to March 8 at Lewiston’s Hillview Community Center; Thursday afternoons from Jan. 27 through March 10 at Auburn’s Family Development Center; and Saturday mornings at Lewiston’s B Street Community Center from Jan. 29 through March 12.

Special tax return preparation sessions will be offered Feb. 12 at Andover College and Feb. 26 at the South Paris Outreach Center.

“They’ll be able to handle a few drop-ins, but they’d rather people get appointments,” said Lewiston community relations coordinator Dot Perham Whittier.

Those interested in tax help should call the city of Lewiston at 784-2951, extension 109, after Jan. 18.