Tax preparation program for low-income filers shut down

Daily Record Staff//November 6, 2025//

This week, Empire Justice Center has sent layoff notices to the five staff members at the Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) program.

The CASH program provides free tax preparation assistance for low-income people. Last year the program prepared more than 3,500 tax returns, provided 8,000 consultations, and garnered more than $20 million in returns.

The organization is actively exploring options, but its ability to provide services for the 2026 tax season is in jeopardy.

Compounding the situation, the Trump administration has ended IRS Direct File, the electronic system for filing tax returns for free.

The layoffs were the result of funding reductions and delays, most notably, the loss of money from the IRS volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program, due to the federal government shutdown.

CASH also lost $150,000 of annual funding from the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

If needed funds come through, CASH positions that are core to operations would be restored and the program would be run this tax season to the extent possible.

Tags: volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) program, Creating Assets, IRS, Savings and Hope (CASH)

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