IRS Awards $7.5 Million to Tax Clinics Assisting Low Income
Taxpayers
IR-2004-55, Apr. 15, 2004
WASHINGTON — The National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina Olson,
announced that the Internal Revenue Service has awarded $7.5 million
in matching grants to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs). This
amount will fund 135 clinics in 2004. LITCs are qualifying organizations
that represent low income taxpayers involved in tax disputes with
the IRS or that inform taxpayers for whom English is a second
language or who have limited English proficiency of their tax
rights and responsibilities.
The IRS matching grant program, which is in its sixth year, encourages
the creation and growth of Low Income Taxpayer Clinics across
the nation. These clinics provide an important resource to taxpayers
who may not be able to afford a tax professional.
"I am pleased that, again this year, we are able to provide
needed funding for these low income tax clinics," said Treasury
Secretary John W. Snow. "Low income tax clinics are crucial
to this Administration's efforts to ensure that all taxpayers,
regardless of their resources, can understand their tax obligations.
I would like to compliment the National Taxpayer Advocate on her
devotion to these clinics."
Under the program, the IRS awards matching grants of up to $100,000
a year to organizations operating independent tax clinics. This
year, LITC grant recipients represent non-profit organizations
and accredited academic institutions from 49 states plus the District
of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Grant amounts range from $6,448 to
$85,000.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics provide a source of assistance to
low income taxpayers when they have disputes with the IRS or are
trying to comply with tax laws.
There are two types of awards. One is for representation (R)
and the other is for English as a Second Language (ESL). Some
clinics receive awards for providing both types of services. Attached
is a list of organizations awarded a matching grant for 2004.
This list is arranged alphabetically by state abbreviation and,
within a state, by city name.
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