Federal, Local Elected Officials Partner to Announce Sites for Free Tax Preparation Services

Nonprofit Baltimore CASH Campaign to help working Baltimoreans save money and put more than $18 million in refunds and tax credits back into their pockets. Jan. 27 is National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day!

BALTIMORE, MD – On Friday, January 27, Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young will be joined by U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings and John Sarbanes, as well as IRS Commissioner John Koskinen to spread the word about free tax preparation services that are expected to save working Baltimoreans millions of dollars in fees.

The “Keep Your Money” free Tax Preparation Kick-off event offers low-to-moderate income working families in Baltimore tax preparation services free of charge at 15 sites throughout Baltimore City, with two additional sites in Baltimore County.

Now in its 16^th year, the Baltimore CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign has prepared and filed more than 113,000 tax returns for FREE, putting more than $219 million in refunds and tax credits into the pockets of hard-working families and individuals in Baltimore.  These efforts have saved tax payers an estimated $17 million in unnecessary filing fees by filing with Baltimore CASH for free.
 

WHO CAN GET FREE TAX PREP? The Baltimore CASH Campaign wants to spread the word that everyone who made less than $54,000 in 2016 may be eligible to have their taxes prepared and e-filed for FREE!  Each year, an estimated 25 percent of low-to-moderate income Maryland workers should claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and access free tax preparation services but do not. “Earn It! Keep It! Save It!”

WHEN:        Friday, January 27, 2017

                   10-11 AM

WHERE:      Union Baptist Church (A Free Tax Prep Site)

                   1219 Druid Hill Avenue

                   Baltimore, MD 21217

WHY:   

• Help low-income working families and individuals who are eligible for federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) keep their money instead of wasting it on paid commercial tax preparers 
• Increase awareness of the benefits of free tax preparation services
• Combat for-profit commercial tax preparers who take a large percentage of refunds with high-priced tax preparation and hidden fees then sell products taxpayers are not aware they are buying. “Keep Your Money” instead!
• Free e-filing for the fastest returns at all of the Baltimore CASH Campaign’s 16 free tax prep sites
• Provide access to other wealth-creating opportunities such as US Savings Bonds and Savings Accounts
• Start 2017 debt free – Those eligible for free tax prep can use part of their tax refunds to pay bills
   

WHAT IS THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT?

January 27, 2017 is “National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day” calling attention to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - the most effective anti-poverty program in the US. EITC is a kind of specialized tax refund that can put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of working Maryland families.  Accessing the EITC encourages employment – it’s an EARNED INCOME tax credit. Many commercial tax preparers target EITC eligible taxpayers then charge exorbitant rates that take a large percentage of the refund.  If people qualify for free tax prep, why pay when they can get their taxes done for free and get their money back just as fast?

ABOUT THE BALTIMORE CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) CAMPAIGN: The  Baltimore CASH Campaign works to increase the financial security of low-income individuals and families by providing direct services and leading a coalition of partners made up of nonprofits, government and business.  The Campaign focuses on helping working families maximize their financial future by offering various educational programs and asset building services, especially during their yearly signature event “Money Power Day®” taking place on April 1, 2017; conducting marketing and outreach around the Earned Income Tax Credit; providing free tax preparation services; and connecting clients to wealth creation resources. For more information, contact Sara Johnson, Director, Baltimore CASH Campaign at sara@baltimorecash.org or 410-234-2801. 

www.baltimorecashcampaign.org  www.bmorefreetaxes.org   www.moneypowerday.org

Twitter: @BaltCash    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaltCASH