Articles

One Last Bite: Final Year for Bank Tax Refund Anticipation Loans
A bright note for consumers as this tax season begins: This is the final year in which refund anticipation loans (RALs) will be available from banks on a large scale, nationwide basis. After this season, there will be an end to the hundreds of millions drained from taxpayer refunds by these high-cost, high-risk loans. Read More

CASH Coach REceives $10K Grant
RACF Women's Giving Circle AWards C.A.S.H. Coach $10,000 grant

Consumer Advocates: FDIC Action Shows RALs are Unsafe and Unsound
Consumer advocates at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and Consumer Federation of America (CFA) applauded the FDIC’s most recent action against Republic Bank & Trust of Kentucky, the last of the refund anticipation loan (RAL) lenders. Read More

Tax Season Offers Opportunity to Assess Needs of Low-Income Working Families
The Creating Assets, Savings and Hope Coalition (C.A.S.H.) in Rochester, NY, focuses on improving the financial stability and economic security of low income workers in Monroe County. C.A.S.H. reaches these households during tax season by operating VITA sites (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). Workers that fit within the profile of persons who may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit are offered free income tax preparation services.

C.A.S.H. Update - Week 8 of Tax Season
We are 75% of the way through tax season, and just about every site has completed more returns than last year at this time. Our partner sites at Genesee Co-of Federal Credit Union and Rochester Rehabilitation have each completed more returns than they did throughout last year’s entire season! At this point, we are about 4% ahead of last year. If we keep this pace, we’ll meet our goals.

C.A.S.H. - Week 1 News
About 500 volunteers have completed training in one or more roles (Front Desk, Advisor, Tax Preparer) and our doors opened for business on Monday, January 24. In just four days, we helped 490 working families claim $1.6 million in federal and NY State tax refunds and credits, of which $806 thousand were EITC.

2010 Accomplishments
C.A.S.H. 2010 Accomplishments

For Tax Filers
Who quailifies for Tax Preparation, to qualify for C.A.S.H. and what you need to bring.

For Coaches
As a C.A.S.H. Coach, you will work with your partner to determine the financial goal(s) to be reached, and then help your partner stay on track to achieving the goal(s) by the end of the program.

For Partners
The C.A.S.H. Coach program is a collaboration between C.A.S.H. and the Credit Education Bureau. This program offers free and confidential financial coaching to help you manage your money and improve your financial future.

The Importance of Good Credit
Have you ever heard the stereotype that all Black people have bad credit? Well of course, this isn’t true, but it should make you think about where you stand in terms of your credit.

C.A.S.H. Team Preps for 2009 Tax Season
During tax season C.A.S.H. provides free income tax preparation services to low income working households and tax filers can open free checking and savings accounts, check their credit report, learn about home buying programs, savings programs, affordable health care and insurance, food stamps, low cost loans and more.

C.A.S.H Team Preps for 2007-2008 Tax Season
C.A.S.H. helps working individuals and families earning less than $40,000 annually make the most of their money and build stronger financial futures.

Creating Assets, Savings and Hope
What is C.A.S.H.? Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (C.A.S.H.) is a community coalition of more than 30 organizations working together to improve the financial well-being of low-income working families in Monroe County.