WASHINGTON - The National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina E. Olson, announced today that the Internal Revenue Service has awarded almost $9 million in matching grants to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) for the 2008 grant cycle (January 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008). 

LITCs are organizations independent from the IRS that provide low income taxpayers with representation in federal tax controversies with the IRS for free or for a nominal charge. The clinics also provide tax education and outreach for taxpayers who speak English as a second language.  IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides information on clinics in your area and contains details about the languages each clinic serves in addition to English.

Through the LITC program, the IRS awards matching grants of up to $100,000 a year to qualifying organizations.  For the 2008 grant cycle, the IRS awarded LITC grants to 154 organizations representing all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Questions about the LITC Program can be addressed to the LITC Program Office at (202) 622-4711 (not a toll-free call) or by e-mail at LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov

A list of organizations awarded a matching grant for the 2008 grant cycle is available.