Our 2-1-1 call center, 2-1-1 Maryland at United Way of Central Maryland, is playing an important role locally in connecting low-income working people with free tax preparation and tools to help them maximize their savings...if they know about it. Anyone in central Maryland can call 2-1-1 to find out if they are eligible and if so, schedule an appointment for free tax preparation.

In partnership with the Baltimore CASH Campaign, we have set an ambitious goal to make every central Marylander who qualifies for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) aware of it. The EITC can put up to $5,751 back into a family’s pocket, and many tax payers who earned less than $49,078 in 2011 may be eligible but have never heard of it. For some, these simple services can mean the difference between poverty and stability…if they know about them.

Our efforts would not be possible without the generous financial support of Bank of America, One Main Financial, and The Walmart Foundation, or the caring volunteers who assist 2-1-1 MD at UWCM with the influx of tax-related calls. In particular, many Bank of America employees are lending their financial prowess as volunteers. We are truly grateful for all of this support; with it, United Way is able to connect people in need with tools to help build stability.

And of course, 2-1-1 Maryland would not exist without the generosity of Constellation Energy, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Governor Martin O'Malley and his administration, and our donors, whose support revolutionized access to help in this region.

I ask that you help by spreading the word about free tax preparation and the EITC to anyone who may be eligible. Let’s be sure that our working neighbors in need are getting every last penny back in their pockets that they are entitled to.