IRS Accepting Applications for Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Grants

WASHINGTON - National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson announced today that the 2009 Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) grant application process is now open.

The LITC grant program is a federal program administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS whose employees assist taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, who are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels or who believe that an IRS system or procedure is not working as it should.

Under the LITC grant program, the IRS awards matching grants of up to $100,000 per year to develop, expand or maintain low income taxpayer clinics. The program is in its tenth year and continues to expand. To date in 2008, the LITC Program Office has awarded LITC grants to 154 organizations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

LITCs are independent organizations 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 taxpayer education and outreach for taxpayers who speak English as a second language. Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides information on clinics. It is available at www.irs.gov or local IRS offices.

Examples of qualifying organizations include:

Clinical programs at accredited law, business or accounting schools, whose students represent low income taxpayers in tax disputes with the IRS, and
Organizations exempt from tax under Code Section 501(a) that represent low income taxpayers in tax disputes with the IRS or refer those taxpayers to qualified representatives.

The application period for this grant will run from May 27, 2008, through July 7, 2008. The grant will cover the 2009 grant cycle, from January 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2009. Applications must be postmarked or filed electronically by July 7, 2008.

Copies of the 2009 Grant Application Package and Guidelines, IRS Publication 3319 (Rev. 5-2008), are available at www.irs.gov/advocate. Applicants may also order application packages from the IRS Distribution Center by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Applicants can also file electronically at www.grants.gov. Those applying electronically should use the Funding Number TREAS-GRANTS-052009-001.

Questions about the LITC Program or grant application process 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.