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LEWISTON — The new model of L-A CA$H Coalition is working well, according to IRS senior tax consultant Tess Armstrong following her recent site visit at the Lewiston Armory.
“The results were excellent,” she said.
“Your new mission of comprehensive tax prep and financial check-ups is exactly what IRS SPEC has envisioned as the ideal VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance ) site, and I can’t thank you enough for your efforts to promote financial empowerment opportunities to the taxpayers who are served at your site.”
From Jan. 24 to April 11, free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers and individual financial check-ups were provided to residents who made an appointment for the free service at the Lewiston Armory on Central Avenue.
Residents selected either a face-to-face appointment or the Coalition’s new “Scan & Go” offering, whereby their documents are scanned upon arrival, and the person returns the following week for review/signing/electronic filing.
New at the helm is retired Purdue Global University assistant associate dean Anthony “Tony” Tenneson as site coordinator with an extensive professional background in tax preparation. Assisting him was Jillian Shepard, a human services student at Purdue University, who served as resource coordinator and appointment scheduler.
“We call them the dynamic duo, as the quality of service and the personalized attention they provided to each resident have been exemplary,” noted LA CA$H co-chairwoman Dottie Perham-Whittier. “The financial check-ups have been a hit with residents upon receiving informational resources towards self-sufficiency and having conversations about credit reports, reducing debt, home ownership, etc. Saving was also part of the conversations, and we’re excited to report 59 individuals decided to save a portion of their refund this tax season.”
Christine Adler, LA CA$H co-chairwoman, echoed Whittier’s thoughts. “L/A CA$H Coalition members, staunch volunteers, and site leadership have demonstrated commitment beyond description. The new model has indeed established a foundation for an even brighter future for L/A CA$H and the people it serves.”
This season, 311 federal and 347 state returns were prepared by three IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers — Adler, Monica Lee and Gary Dennis. Intake representatives who facilitated financial check-ups were Linette Dehetre, Rick Speer, Chris Davis, Lisa Laliberte, Jill Lorom, Jennifer Allen and Perham-Whittier. During the season, Tenneson also did tax-related community presentations, to include a Lewiston High School financial literacy class.
In additional to the city of Lewiston, partners of the LA CA$H Coalition include the Internal Revenue Service, City of Auburn, Purdue Global University, Lewiston Housing Authority, Promise Early Education, United Way of Androscoggin County, Coastal Enterprises, and New Ventures Maine. Funding for the work of the LA CA$H Coalition was provided by a portion of a state-wide VITA grant and the John T. Gorman Foundation.
