LEWISTON — Low-income tax preparation advocates will try to put a little romance into financial literacy next month.

Local officials and volunteers kicked off their annual “Take the Money; You’ve Earned it” effort in City Hall on Tuesday.

The effort encourages Twin Cities residents to file their state and federal income taxes and take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal benefit designed to lower taxes for low- to moderate-income taxpayers.

This is the 12th year for the program, and Lewiston coordinator Dottie Perham-Whittier said organizers are always looking for something new.

“We were talking about that it’s going to be Valentine’s month, and I said, ‘what if we did something like a date night for couples?'” she said. “And everyone kind of went wild with brainstorming.”

The result is a two-hour financial literacy session for couples scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Lewiston Public Library’s Callahan Hall.

It features presentations about budgeting, credit scores, financial goals, heating and weatherization and debt collection. It ends with a game-show style contest designed to test couples’ knowledge of their partner’s financial habits.

Couples who attend can win an overnight stay and breakfast at the new Hampton Inn on Lincoln Street.

“We’ve tried to be very creative,” Perham-Whittier said. “It’s just a kind of a Valentine’s twist on financial literacy to make it kind of a fun evening.”

It fits in well with the rest of the program, she said.

Volunteers will be preparing state and federal income tax returns and filling out tax credit applications for qualified taxpayers by appointment Jan. 24 through March in Auburn Hall and Lewiston’s Memorial Armory. Residents interested in attending can call (207) 513-3160 beginning Thursday to register for an appointment.

The program encourages residents to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal benefit for low- and moderate-income workers designed to reduce income taxes.

To qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, residents cannot make more than $52,427 for a family with three children, married filing jointly. They can qualify for a credit of up to $6,143.

Residents should bring tax forms, Social Security numbers for filers and co-filers, valid picture IDs and account information for direct deposit. They should also bring the name and address of their child care provider and the provider’s tax identification number if they are applying for the Child/Dependent Care.

The group is also publishing an opportunity guide full of financial literacy information this year and working to promote savvier spending throughout the year.

The services are free-of-charge, funded by state grants, KeyBank and a grant from the John T. Gorman Foundation.

staylor@sunjournal.com