Albany leaders gathered Thursday to publicize the work of the Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CA$H) Coalition, which provides free income tax preparation to individuals and families with incomes below $52,000.

The CA$H Coalition also works to draw attention to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable federal and state income tax credit for those with low and moderate incomes; the maximum credit is $8,159.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan and other local officials kicked off this campaign in an effort to reach the 20% of EITC-eligible taxpayers who currently don’t apply for these credits.

“This isn’t just about putting more money in people’s pockets, it’s about a sense of pride,” said Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin. “When you feel like you have some cash in your pocket, you walk straighter and you have a greater sense of self.”

In 2012-2013 tax season, the CA$H Coalition prepared 3,394 tax returns and returned $2,027,250 in EITC tax credits to eligible tax payers.

This free assistance is available at 17 locations in Albany, including the Empire State Plaza Concourse, the Albany Public Library, and the Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance, but this assistance is offered throughout the Greater Capital Region. Click here to view a list of all the locations.