CASH Coalition:
Tax Partnerships
Why Taxes?
Free tax preparation sites make a huge impact in low- and moderate-income communities. That’s why CASH leads a network of direct service providers and universities that offer free tax preparation across the state of Maryland.
Free tax prep services enhance the capacity of organizations and their staff to improve the financial stability and wellbeing of the people they serve.
In partnership with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, CASH provides you with relevant guidance, insights, updates, materials, and education needed to ensure that your organization operates a secure and successful free tax program.
A Typical Tax Site...
Doesn’t exist! Tax sites come in all shapes and sizes. CASH partner sites range from full in-person preparation to drop-off and virtual services – or a hybrid of them all.
Some CASH partner sites provide services during the workday, while others are open on evenings and/or Saturdays.
CASH partner sites offer more than just tax preparation. Tax time is a great opportunity to think about other financial goals, and CASH partner sites can refer clients to additional financial services and education opportunities, help clients access Maryland’s renter and homeowner credits, and encourage clients to save a portion of their refund.
Requirements
IRS Requirements
Organizations must apply for an EFIN and SIDN from the IRS in October. This ensures access to tax prep software.
Your organization’s technology (computers, internet, etc.) must meet the minimum IRS requirements necessary to run tax preparation software securely.
Sufficient, secure (locked) storage space is needed to maintain current year tax files during the tax season, as well as a means to store prior year materials for up to three years, as required by the IRS and the state of Maryland.
Sufficient space is necessary to ensure client privacy during all phases of the tax preparation process (unless virtual).
CASH Requirements
CASH asks that your organization agree to be open for at least 8 hours per week for tax preparation from mid-January through the tax filing deadline (mid-April). Partner sites can operate year-round.
No less than 2 staff must be trained and serve as Site Coordinators to manage tax site operations, including work on Saturdays and/or evenings. Site Coordinators are the largest payroll expense for sites.
Organizations are responsible for providing printers, paper, ink, clipboards, and other office supplies.
The most successful sites are those where the organization’s stakeholders are fully bought into the mission of expanding access to high-quality tax services and putting money back into the pockets of low-income Marylanders.
Organizations provide aggregate information on their clients and the returns completed at the end of tax season.
CASH OFFERS:
- Site Manager Training
- Tax Law Training
- Volunteer Recruitment
Support - IRS Tax Preparation Materials
- Tax Season Support
- Ongoing Technical Assistance
- Community of fellow partner sites
CASH GRANTS:
CASH releases a Request for
Proposals (RFP) in late summer to financially support partners operating tax prep sites. Grants are issued up to $50,000. More info below.
Interested in offering tax education at our organization?
Ready to Partner?
Tax Partnership Interest Form
CASH’s VITA Tax Partnerships can take many forms, from operating a full tax site or remote intake site to providing a location for a pop-up tax event.
If you’re interested in partnering with CASH to bring free tax preparation to your community, please complete the form below.
Questions? Please contact Lucy Smart at lucy@cashmd.org or 410-234-8046.
2026-27 VITA Sub-Grant Application
CASH can provide subgrants to organizations that provide free tax preparation services through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Subgrant amounts will range from $2,500-$40,000.
The 2026-27 application is open now through September 30, 2026.