A Brief History of the BRABC:

In 2006, BRASS, Inc. was approached by representatives from the Inernal Revenue Service and asked to be a Champion in establishing an asset building coalition that would include free tax preparation sites and promote the Earned Income Tax Credit, while operating under an existing federal program called the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program. Recognizing the positive impact that the VITA program would have on clients and low/moderate income families throughout the community, BRASS, Inc. began the coalition as one of their anti-poverty initiatives. They called on support from other non-profit agencies and local businesses in the region. The community partnership that was formed was the Barren River Asset Building Coalition.

In our first tax season (2006), we opened five VITA sites; serving only two counties. In the past five years, we have expanded our service area by etablishing new relationships throughout the region. Last tax season, the coalition operated 9 VITA sites, serving 16 counties (Allen, Barren, Butler, Cumberland, Edmonson, Green, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Larue, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, and Warren). We filed over 1,300 returns, resulting in over $2.2 million in refunds to our customers. The positive influence that this program has had in people's lives further motivates us to continue assisting hard working taxpayers with saving money and ultimately realizing economic self-sufficiency.