LEWISTON — Local efforts to help people get their taxes filed will concentrate on putting some money away for the future.

Volunteers for the Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition announced the schedule for their 2016 program in Lewiston City Hall on Tuesday morning with a news conference.

Volunteers will prepare tax forms for low- or moderate-income residents and help them apply for federal Earned Income Tax Credits. This is the 13th year for the program.

“The efforts of this coalition have returned almost $27 million to families in this community,” Coalition Co-Chairman Dottie Perham-Whittier said. “It’s all about sustainability for your family and wisely using any refunds you may get.”

Volunteers will be preparing state and federal income tax returns and filling out tax credit applications for qualified taxpayers by appointment, beginning Jan. 25 in Auburn Hall and Lewiston’s Memorial Armory. Interested residents should call 207-513-3160 to register for an appointment.

The CA$H Coalition has also scheduled a savings resource fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Lewiston Memorial Armory.

The program encourages residents to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal benefit for low- and moderate-income workers designed to reduce income taxes. To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, residents cannot make more than $54,000 for a family with three children, married filing jointly.

The program is designed to help the city’s working poor, those who get a paycheck but may not have much left over, Lewiston City Administrator Ed Barrett said.

“At the same time, it helps our community,” Barrett said. “Money returned to our citizens by the state and federal government is money that is spent here in our local economy. It’s increased spending that helps support local jobs and local businesses.”

Residents should bring a photo ID, all tax forms (W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, Form 8332s, etc.), last year’s tax return, Social Security numbers for filers and co-filers and account information for direct deposit. They should also bring the name and address of their child care provider and the provider’s tax identification number if they are applying for child/dependent care.

staylor@sunjournal.com

Lewiston-Auburn CA$H Coalition

Tax Prep Schedule, beginning Jan. 25

• Mondays, 3 to 6 p.m. at Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

• Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Auburn Hall, 60 Court St.

• Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m. at Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

• Fridays, 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

• Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon at Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave.

Due to the volume of people expected, no walk-ins will be allowed. Appointments are required and can be made beginning Jan. 18 by calling 207 513-3160.

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