CA$H Greater Portland (www.cashgp.org) is a year-round community resource that offers free tax preparation to qualified filers, helps employers bring financial education tools to their employees and informs Cumberland County residents about how they can make the most of their money. Tax sites open in January. Constituents can call 2-1-1 to locate the nearest tax site.
Nearly 40 percent of Cumberland County households qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the largest anti-poverty program in the country. However, because only 1 in 4 people claim the credit, $4 million dollars are left on the table each year in Cumberland County. Providing free tax preparation is one way to increase access to this federal credit. It also allows us to connect filers with other programs and services that can help reduce financial stress.
