The Baltimore CASH Campaign wants working families to get all the credit they deserve. That's why the Campaign works to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit and provide quality tax assistance at no cost to families.
Families and individuals can have their taxes prepared for free at one of more than 14 CASH Campaign locations in the City, including each of the 6 Community Action Centers operated by Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development. And if they qualify, families and individuals can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other valuable tax credits. In 2006, the average EITC payment for Baltimore residents was more than $1,500. Workers who earn less than $35,000 may be eligible, depending on total income and family size.
The Campaign doesn't end with tax preparation. Working with financial institutions and community development organizations, the Campaign links families and individuals to asset building resources such as financial literacy classes, savings programs and mainstream banking opportunities. The Campaign also educates workers about the financial dangers of refund anticipation loans, or RALs, which are sold by many commercial tax preparers and cause workers to give up significant portions of their tax refunds.
For the 2006-07 tax season, the Campaign prepared 7,200 tax returns, claiming more than $13 million in state and Federal tax refunds, and saving families an estimated $1,080,000 in tax preparation costs. Since 2001, the Campaign has helped City residents claim over $11 million in EITC payments.
The Baltimore CASH Campaign involves community-based organizations, government agencies, private workforce development agencies, nonprofits, foundations, employers, the IRS and hundreds of volunteers. Your help is needed. Become a Campaign partner! Spread the word about the Earned Income Tax Credit and free tax prep. Volunteer to be a trained community tax preparer. Support the Campaign. Call 443-451-4079 or write to joanna@baltimorecashcampaign.org
— The Baltimore CASH Campaign is coordinated with the Maryland EIC Campaign, and supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Abell Foundation, Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Alvin and Fanny Blaustein Thalheimer Foundation, the Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund, Empower Baltimore Management Corporation, and the Clayton Baker Trust.