By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
The 2026 tax season is underway, and the Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign of Maryland will continue its tradition of delivering free tax preparation to local households who earn less than $69,000 annually. The program is designed to ensure eligible Maryland families do not miss out on valuable tax credits— such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)— or the larger tax refunds they are entitled to receive.
This year, services for Baltimore City residents will be available at: the Central Enoch Pratt Free Library; University of Baltimore; the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Community Engagement Center; the Center for Urban Families; Loyola University Maryland; The Weinberg Y in Waverly; Morgan State University, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and We Are CASA. Baltimore County residents can seek appointments at the Baltimore County Public Library’s Randallstown and Towson branches; Towson University and University of Maryland Baltimore County.
“What we know is that this works. The Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits help put money back in people’s pockets, and it helps people and families out of poverty,” said Sara Johnson, co-founder and chief operating officer for the CASH Campaign, during a Jan. 30 press event. “With this money, we know that families know what to do with it. They pay their bills, they pay their rent and hopefully for fun things to do with their families.”
A statewide coalition, the CASH Campaign of Maryland has delivered free tax preparation to over 308,000 households, assisting them in gaining nearly $455 million in tax refunds and credits. Last year in Baltimore, the organization served more than 8,000 families who secured over $19 million in tax refunds and credits. In total, the CASH Campaign saved Maryland taxpayers $6.8 million in unnecessary fees.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) gave remarks at the CASH Campaign’s announcement, thanking the CASH Campaign for its efforts to support Maryland households.
“It’s a lot of families, and it’s a lot of children who benefit from what you do. They can’t vote for themselves, they don’t protest, they don’t picket, but they are with us every day,” said Mfume. “Every time we can find a way, through programs like this, to make sure something trickles back down to the family and the children, it’s essential.”
Eric Morrissette, deputy secretary of the Governor’s Office for Children (GOC), also gave remarks at the announcement.
“We can only meet them if all of us as a community are working with the advantages that we have before us. Among those advantages are the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Morrissette. “The EITC is so important, as is the Child Tax Credit, in lifting children and families out of poverty and pulling them into opportunity.”
Morrissette noted that the state’s “EarnedIt” Campaign has been working to ensure that Maryland families are informed about tax credits, like the EITC, through mailings, social media, radio advertising and word of mouth.
“Last year, we saw a lot of families who were eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit truly claim that credit. We saw an uptake at a rate where we realized that we have to keep on doing this,” said Morrissette. “We have to push harder and stronger against the lack of awareness to ensure that everyone is able to pull themselves up through this credit.”
This is the 25th anniversary of the CASH Campaign’s free tax preparation services for Maryland families. Those seeking assistance can call 410-234-8008 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to book an appointment, or schedule one online at bmorefreetaxes.org.
