LEWISTON — Twin Cities tax preparation volunteers will expand their program this year, adding a phone interpreter system and an option that allows residents to prepare their own tax returns.

“I don’t understand why low- to moderate-income people would pay to have their taxes done,” said Chris Adler, co-chairman of the Lewiston-Auburn Cash Coalition. “It just doesn’t make sense to me when we are offering a free tax prep.”

Adler and other volunteers kicked off the coalition’s annual “Take the Money, You’ve Earned It” program at Lewiston City Hall on Tuesday. 

Volunteers will prepare state and federal income tax returns and fill out tax-credit applications for qualified taxpayers Jan. 23 through April 7.

The program encourages residents to take advantage of 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, you cannot make more than $49,078 for a family with three children, married filing jointly. You can qualify for a credit of up to $5,751.

The tax preparation is free of charge, but by appointment only. Lewiston-Auburn residents should call 513-3160 after Jan. 17 to schedule an appointment. People living outside Lewiston-Auburn should dial 211, the Maine outreach number, for more information.

It is the ninth year the cities of Lewiston and Auburn and the Annie E. Casey Foundation have sponsored the program. It’s one of nine similar programs in Maine.

Dot Perham-Whittier, Adler’s co-chairwoman, said the Lewiston-Auburn program is one 50 programs nationally to test a new translation program. It will allow tax preparers to talk with non-English-speaking residents through a telephone operator.

“We’ve had interpreters before, but this will be much less expensive,” Perham-Whittier said.

The coalition will host sites with self-serve computers. People can come in and prepare their own tax returns using the coalition’s computers.

“Folks can access a computer, but certified preparers will be there to help them through their taxes,” she said.

Adler said the preparers also will pull free credit reports for people.

Volunteers will prepare tax returns at Lewiston’s Multi-Purpose Center from 3-6 p.m. on Mondays, 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays, 12:30-4 p.m. on Fridays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

They will do returns at Auburn Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. A special push is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Bring tax forms (W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, Form 8332s, etc.), Social Security numbers for filers and co-filers, valid picture IDs and account information for direct deposit. Also bring the name and address of your child care provider and the provider’s tax identification number if you are applying for the child/dependent care credit.

[email protected]