University of Virginia student Deborah Perl recently started a group called Creating Assets, Saving, and Hope (CASH) to help low-income families in Charlottesville prepare their taxes and collect refunds. According to federal law, individuals that earn less than $15,000 per year and families that earn less than $30,000 per year are eligible to collect significant tax refunds. Unfortunately, low-income taxpayers are often targeted by commercial tax groups that keep up to 40 percent of the refunds. So far this tax season, CASH has helped a total of 135 taxpayers collect $180,457. The group was such a success that it has now partnered with local nonprofit service agencies, including Urban Vision and the Monticello Area Community Action Agency.

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