CASH at Empire Justice

CASH has operated VITA sites within Monroe County since 2003. Before CASH, more than a dozen organizations acted independently to produce approximately 1,000 tax returns. In 2002, the United Way of Greater Rochester brought these organizations together and CASH was created. Since 2003, CASH volunteers have prepared more 191,000+ returns returning $303M+ in total tax refunds; $146M+ of those refunds include EITC benefits. We have saved low-income families over $38M in tax preparation filing fees and opened over 4,900 bank/prepaid card accounts and encouraged families to save $325,000.

CASH offers free tax return preparation services to low-income workers including those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit [EITC] to ensure they collect all credits for which they are eligible. By providing this service, CASH helps low-income workers avoid expensive paid preparer fees which can amount to hundreds of dollars. Clients are also protected from paid preparers who encourage clients to purchase expensive financial products and predators who engage in theft of refunds and identities. CASH uses the “tax return moment” as an opportunity to connect clients with a wide variety of resources that can improve families’ financial wellbeing. public benefits, and job counseling services.