The Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition is being featured as a successful Earned Income Tax Credit initiative by the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC). The EITC is a Federal benefit for low and middle income workers.

On December 1, 2005, NCTC's web site will launch a detailed profile on the local coalition's efforts to promote the tax credit, establish free tax preparation sites, and provide asset building information. The profile will also be featured in the NCTC's "Tax Buzz" publication.

As part of the Center for Economic Progress, the National Community Tax Coalition has over three hundred affiliates from forty states with the goal of dramatically increasing access to tax credits, benefits, and asset-building opportunities for low-and moderate-income individuals, families, and communities. The coalition gathers the expertise of community-based free tax preparation and low-income tax credit outreach groups from around the country to share practices, identify program needs, work together to develop public policy favorable to low-income taxpayers, and offers technical assistance and training to new and emerging community tax preparation and outreach efforts.

The LA Coalition has led the State of Maine in EITC initiatives & results for the last two years, returning over $1 million in Federal benefits to the Lewiston-Auburn community.

Don Wedd, Member Services Manager from the National Community Tax Coalition, notes, "I'm amazed at how much media and community support the coalition has enjoyed. I suppose it is a benefit of a small community pulling together and taking responsibility for each other."

Mayor Lionel C. Guay, Jr., who has been a strong advocate of the local coalition's efforts responded to the news by stating, "The positive network of community partners for this effort has resulted in tremendous benefits for our residents and their families. As such, the Coalition is currently gearing up for the 2006 tax season with volunteers lined up for IRS training, free tax preparation sites established, and planning underway for asset building opportunities. We hope that even more eligible individuals will seek out this Federal benefit in 2006."

Community entities partnering with the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition include the City of Lewiston, the City of Auburn, Internal Revenue Service, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Services, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Androscoggin County Head Start & Child Care, Maine Center for Financial Education, AARP, Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Weed & Seed Program, United Way of Androscoggin County, Andover College, Lewiston Career Center, and Coastal Enterprises Inc.

As of December 1st the LA profile will be found on the National Community Tax Coalition's web site, and interested parties may go to:
http://www.tax-coalition.org/newsletter/profiles/profiles_05.htm#lewist  (under newsletter - profiles).

For further information contact: Phil Nadeau, Assistant City Administrator, City of Lewiston, 207-784-2951 Ext. 114, Fax 207-777-4621
.

FOR MORE INFO on any Press Releases contact:
Dot Perham-Whittier - Community Relations Coordinator
Lewiston City Hall
784-2951 - Extension 110
dottie@ci.lewiston.me.us