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LEWISTON — The Lewiston Auburn CA$H Coalition, an annual free tax season go-to within the LA area, has gone virtual.
IRS tax law certified volunteers have prepared taxes, free of charge, for low-to-moderate income individuals/families since 2004 when the city established the multi-partner coalition. Tony Tenneson, a retired professor with vast tax return experience, will facilitate the local effort as site coordinator, which will happen virtually this year.
“I understand that some residents will be concerned about having their tax returns prepared virtually,” Tenneson said. “The VITA program has a strict protocol for the virtual tax preparation process. Every VITA volunteer has been trained and certified for the virtual tax return process. The IRS has strict guidelines for ensuring the security and confidentiality of tax filer identification and tax information during the virtual process. IRS tax law certified volunteers will contact the individual at various times during the process, from the intake of the tax information through the review of the completed return with the resident. The process is every bit as secure as face to face. I am excited, as this will not limit the number of residnets who can be served this season. In the past, the number of taxpayers served was limited to the number of appointments that could be scheduled for face-to-face tax preparation at the Armory.”
Residents in the Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding towns may choose one of two options to have their taxes prepared. A 100% virtual experience, with personal uploading of tax documents and photo ID, will be done through “Get Your Refund” at www.getyourrefund.org/lamaine. The other option is “Scan & Go,” whereby residents can go to www.lewistonmaine.gov/scanandgo to request scanning of their documents before virtual tax prep. LA’s Scan & Go coordinator is Chris Adler, a long-time member of LA CA$H.
Step-by-step instructions for each of the links can be found at www.lewistonmaine.gov/freetaxes. Services will be offered through mid-April. The process began Feb. 1, but the IRS is not accepting returns until Feb. 12, so completed returns by the IRS tax law certified volunteers cannot be physically e-filed until then.
During both processes, communication with CA$H representatives will be either by phone or email, and the popular free annual financial check-up will also occur. Those who use Scan & Go will have a brief in-person scanning appointment at the Lewiston Memorial Armory and can be assured that PPE will be on site, to include Plexiglass service shields. A mask will be required for entry, and six-feet social distancing will be in effect. No walk-ins will be served.
Residents of other areas can find a local coaltion at www.cashmaine.org.
