PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook CA$H Coalition will go virtual this year due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
IRS tax law certified volunteers will still be available to provide free tax preparation and financial checkups for low- to middle-income households earning less than $57,000; however, there will be no in-person appointments.
The “scan and go” virtual tax preparation will be by appointment only. Documents will be scanned, handed back to the taxpayer and prepared virtually. The taxpayer will return in about a week’s time to review and sign for e-filing.
Aroostook CA$H stands for Creating Assets, $avings and Hope. It is a partnership of the United Way of Aroostook with 13 partners and supporters working together to empower individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability.
For the past few years, more than 1,000 people each tax season have had their taxes prepared and more than a million dollars in returns and refunds have come back to the County.
“The County Federal Credit Union has a long history of collaboration with the United Way of Aroostook,” said Dan Bagley, credit union executive vice president. “The CA$H program offers a tremendous benefit to the Aroostook County community, and we are proud as a credit union team to sponsor this program and provide our employee volunteer support.
In addition to free tax preparation, the credit union will help individuals access financial resources by connecting them with partners who provide help with budgeting, home buying, student loans, improving credit, reducing debt, heating and energy costs, going back to school, savings and much more. Their staff act as opportunity guides/cash coaches and assist hundreds of individuals towards financial stability during the program.
“The CFCU staff is very enthusiastic about volunteering their time as opportunity advisors,” Bagley said. “We’ll be available via phone to help those program participants who seek financial literacy education and information about the programs, resources and services available in the Aroostook County area.”
If you meet the income guidelines and you receive tax statements from all income received in 2020, you can contact the Aroostook CA$H Coalition at United Way of Aroostook at 207-764-5197.
For more information on what to bring, financial resources, or to scan your documents yourself, go to CountyFCU.org.
