CASH Coalition

CASH celebrates Yversha’s well-deserved recognition! We are so proud of your work with CASH and the community.

Join us in congratulating Yversha Roman - our Director of Strategic Partnerships and CASH (Creating, Assets, Savings and Hope) - who was recently honored with the Outstanding Alumna Award by Nazareth University! Yversha is being recognized for 20 years of work in nonprofits in the community, board and committee memberships, in addition to serving as President of the Monroe County Legislature. Read the full announcement for more details! https://www2.naz.edu/alumni/get-involved/alumni-awards/awards/

TOMORROW Saturday, September 28 | 10am - 2pm

Join us for this cancer education and wellness event, with a special focus on prostate and breast cancer prevention. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests will be offered on site for no cost. There are also limited walk-ins available to get a mammogram!

: Have you heard of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)? TAS offers free assistance to taxpayers who are struggling to resolve issues with the IRS. Whether you're an individual, business, or exempt organization, TAS is here to help.

For more information on qualifying for TAS assistance, visit: https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/can-tas-help-me-with-my-tax-issue/

Empire Justice Center was proud to participate in SUNY Geneseo's Community Engagement & Internship Fair on September 25th, represented by CASH volunteer Brenda Heller and Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic's Paralegal Jackie DiBella. It was a great opportunity to share our volunteer and internship opportunities with students, and for LITC to connect with Geneseo University and other vendors, highlighting their work assisting individuals with IRS tax disputes and providing education to taxpayers. Special thanks to the organizers, Geneseo’s Career Design Center and Office of Student Volunteerism – we were pleased to be part of this impactful event!

: Taxpayers who cannot pay their tax debts in full can seek assistance from Low Income Taxpayer Clinics when submitting an Offer in Compromise. While individuals can submit on their own, the expert guidance of an LITC can save both time and money.

The season's final ROC the Block job fair is happening tomorrow at Parcel 5! With over 175 employers and agencies attending, this is your chance to explore job opportunities and educational resources in a fun, block-party setting. Open to all! 🎉

For more info, visit: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/events/roc-block-community-employment-fair-0?fbclid=IwY2xjawFfrdVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbejovmnHla7Bjgn7x7kcQ3wPhDU_LSA65szFYbZF9FOBKoT6CxR3RLtbg_aem_7ywmihDpk5OG0Vc8Qjyz5Q

: Taxpayers have the right to finality when dealing with the IRS. For instance, you have the right to know when an IRS audit is complete. This is one of the 10 basic rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

For more info on your rights and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, visit: https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights

Did you know the Lifetime Learning Credit can help you pay for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses? Find more information here: www.irs.gov/education.

: It’s the end of summer and a great time to make tax withholding or payment updates to avoid a potential surprise next year at tax time. This is especially important for those who have ‘side hustles’ or are working in the gig economy. https://ow.ly/lLoL50T8WXe

Es fin de verano y un buen momento para realizar actualización de retención o pago de impuestos para evitar posibles sorpresas el próximo año. En especial aquellos que tienen "trabajos secundarios" o están trabajando en la economía informal.

: Are you a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide? Check out these tips from the on how to claim a deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses: https://ow.ly/WzC250T4aBu

CASH wishes everyone a Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana)! 🎉 We'd like to send a special thank you to the incredible Latinx members of CASH who share their knowledge, expertise, and culture with our team and clients daily. Your role is essential in helping our community thrive and prosper. 💛

📸 In these photos, you’ll see some of our dedicated CASH members who celebrate their culture this month and beyond.

: 🛡️ Protect yourself from identity theft with an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)! This six-digit number is an essential tool to protect taxpayers from identity thieves It's a simple yet important step toward securing your financial future.

💻 Visit the IRS website and verify your identity to receive your IP PIN: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin

Just a reminder: The Community Resource Expo is happening at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County NY this Thursday. Come visit us and other local partners!

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Event
We are pleased to announce that Marlene Cortés, Senior Manager of the Language Justice Program, will be joining other influential Latino community stakeholders for a special event to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024 Time: 3:00 PM Location: County Building
This event will recognize Marlene Cortés for her outstanding language access advocacy work. Following the ceremony, there will be a block celebration to commemorate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Join us as we honor Ms. Cortés and other community leaders who have significantly contributed to our Latino community. This event begins a month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage, culture, and achievements. See the flyer attached for more information.
We look forward to seeing you there!

We’re excited to be part of the Community Resource Expo next Thursday! Stop by the Kate Gleason Auditorium at the Central Library to discover how CASH and other local partners can support you.

Empire Justice Center is hiring for multiple roles across New York State! We're proud to offer:

Meaningful, mission-driven work
Hybrid work model
Free, comprehensive co-pay health insurance plans
Vision & dental plans
5+ weeks of PTO & generous holiday schedule
35-hour full-time work week
& much more!

Check out the full job description + details on Empire Justice’s exceptional benefits: https://empirejustice.org/work-with-us/

Did you know there's a local IRS Assistance Center right here in Rochester? Whether you need help with tax law questions, payment arrangements, or requesting an Identity Protection PIN, their team is ready to assist you at 225 East Ave. Don't hesitate to take advantage of this valuable resource! Learn more: https://apps.irs.gov/app/office-locator/

Happy Labor Day! Here’s to the dedication of every worker who contributes to the strength and prosperity of our community. Take this day to relax and recharge—you’ve earned it! 🌟

: The IRS recommends doing an end-of-summer tax checkup to avoid any surprises next year. While most people receive a refund after filing, some unexpectedly owe taxes due to life or job changes that weren't accounted for during the year.

To help, the IRS offers a Tax Withholding Estimator that can guide you in aligning your tax withholding or payments with what you’ll owe: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

Our 2024 Summer Tax Program has officially wrapped up, and what an incredible season it was!!! 🌞✨ We are beyond grateful for our amazing volunteers who went above and beyond, our supportive community partners who helped us reach more clients, and our clients for trusting us with their taxes.

As we prepare for the next tax season, which starts in January, we’re looking for passionate volunteers and interns to join our team. For more information visit: https://empirejustice.org/cash/volunteer

💐 A Heartfelt Thank You from a Client!💐

Pictured here is Ellen, VITA Program Manager, who was surprised today by flowers from a client in appreciation of her thoughtful service. Sometimes the tax return process can be overwhelming and confusing but Ellen went the extra mile: "You could've turned me away, but instead you helped me!" In turn, the client successfully filed her 2022 and 2023 taxes.

👋 Help us welcome Barbara Heggie to the Empire Justice Center team! Barbara will be leading Empire Justice Center’s new Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) as the Managing Attorney and Clinic Director. The LITC is a nationwide program dedicated to assisting low-income individuals with IRS tax disputes and providing education for those who speak English as a second language. Barbara and the LITC will be located on the 4th floor of the Central Library, right next to CASH. We’re thrilled to have you leading this important work Barbara!

Please see the attached statement from our President and CEO, Kristin Brown, on the funding discontinuation from the United Way of Rochester. You can also read it on our website: https://empirejustice.org/for-immediate-release-statement-by-empire-justice-center-president-and-ceo-kristin-brown-on-funding-discontinuation-by-united-way-of-rochester/

: Free tax filing options are available to taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their federal taxes. There’s no need to wait for the Oct.14 deadline if taxpayers are ready to file.