FAQs
http://apps.irs.gov/app/eitc2008/Forward_Qualifying_Child.do
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=150513,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=150557,00.html
http://apps.irs.gov/app/eitc2008/Forward_Filing_Status.do;jsessionid=HjGBJ5zhnTMHvDsh363s0Znt6xwXlvHmQ7gfkyLnC1jq99fNR9L9!1720963060!-1015832979
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html
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Many low-income citizens need legal assistance with their tax controversies. Some examples:
- The IRS rejects the claims of many who are eligible for the EITC, and the IRS audits a larger proportion of returns claiming EITC than returns in any other category. EITC audits are currently the 4th most frequently litigated issues in U.S. Tax Court.
- Many recently separated or divorced persons, especially victims of domestic abuse or violence, are charged with their former spouse's tax liabilities for which they may be eligible for protection under Innocent Spouse Relief rules.
- Many single parents, some victims of domestic violence, are denied exemptions or credits for children because the non-custodial parent claims the exemption or credit.
- Many taxpayers who do not speak English or who are marginally literate do not understand their rights and responsibilities under tax law, do not keep good records, use unqualified tax preparers, are unable to obtain exemptions or credits for which they may be entitled, and are unable to resolve controversies with the IRS which has a limited budget for interpreters.
Often, to obtain assistance, low-income taxpayers turn to unqualified tax preparers who provide "instant refunds," which are essentially loans against expected refunds and often at astronomical interest rates.
SCLS' Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) provides legal assistance in tax matters to eligible low-income wage earners throughout the state of South Carolina. SCLS performs intake through the central toll-free number below, and by direct contact with our Coordinator when there is a language difficulty. Cases are accepted by referral from a number of sources.
A major goal and function of SCLS' LITC program is outreach to and tax education for non-English speaking taxpayers (ESL), including outreach to migrant populations.
Our funding is through a matching-funds grant from the IRS. The LITC is independent of the IRS and is monitored by the Taxpayer Advocate's office.
You can reach the LITC by calling 1-888-346-5592 (Intake), or by calling Roger Watkins' direct line at (864) 679-3242.
The LITC may be able to assist if your have been denied the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC or EITC), or if the IRS is changing your filing status. We may be able to assist in an Innocent Spouse or Injured Spouse application. Or, you may not understand a letter or notice your have received from the IRS and we may be able to help with information and answers to questions about your taxes.
The LITC can help you make sense of the tax system, and know what your rights and responsibilities are under our tax laws. If you are experiencing a hardship, or will be put in hardship if the IRS attempts to collect a tax from you, contact the LITC and talk with our attorneys or paralegals.
The Tax Clinics are a free legal aid service to assist low-income taxpayers with controversies over their federal taxes. If you have received a Notice or other communication from the IRS that your tax return will be changed, that you owe additional taxes, that the IRS is about to levy your wages or put a lien on your home, contact the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) at 1-800-346-5592, or attend one of our regional Tax Clinics.
Low-income citizens in South Carolina have important connections to federal, state and local tax systems. With the federal welfare reform of 1996, a greater proportion of low-income citizens are working, earning taxable wages and are paying taxes. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the nation's largest income transfer program for low-income working people with children. The last report, however, is that for South Carolina there remained on the table in 2002 more than $30 million available to our citizens when properly qualified and if they file tax returns.
FAQs
http://apps.irs.gov/app/eitc2008/Forward_Qualifying_Child.do
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=150513,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=150557,00.html
http://apps.irs.gov/app/eitc2008/Forward_Filing_Status.do;jsessionid=HjGBJ5zhnTMHvDsh363s0Znt6xwXlvHmQ7gfkyLnC1jq99fNR9L9!1720963060!-1015832979
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96623,00.html
[ Display All Answers ] [ Hide All Answers ]
Many low-income citizens need legal assistance with their tax controversies. Some examples:
- The IRS rejects the claims of many who are eligible for the EITC, and the IRS audits a larger proportion of returns claiming EITC than returns in any other category. EITC audits are currently the 4th most frequently litigated issues in U.S. Tax Court.
- Many recently separated or divorced persons, especially victims of domestic abuse or violence, are charged with their former spouse's tax liabilities for which they may be eligible for protection under Innocent Spouse Relief rules.
- Many single parents, some victims of domestic violence, are denied exemptions or credits for children because the non-custodial parent claims the exemption or credit.
- Many taxpayers who do not speak English or who are marginally literate do not understand their rights and responsibilities under tax law, do not keep good records, use unqualified tax preparers, are unable to obtain exemptions or credits for which they may be entitled, and are unable to resolve controversies with the IRS which has a limited budget for interpreters.
Often, to obtain assistance, low-income taxpayers turn to unqualified tax preparers who provide "instant refunds," which are essentially loans against expected refunds and often at astronomical interest rates.
SCLS' Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) provides legal assistance in tax matters to eligible low-income wage earners throughout the state of South Carolina. SCLS performs intake through the central toll-free number below, and by direct contact with our Coordinator when there is a language difficulty. Cases are accepted by referral from a number of sources.
A major goal and function of SCLS' LITC program is outreach to and tax education for non-English speaking taxpayers (ESL), including outreach to migrant populations.
Our funding is through a matching-funds grant from the IRS. The LITC is independent of the IRS and is monitored by the Taxpayer Advocate's office.
You can reach the LITC by calling 1-888-346-5592 (Intake), or by calling Roger Watkins' direct line at (864) 679-3242.
The LITC may be able to assist if your have been denied the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC or EITC), or if the IRS is changing your filing status. We may be able to assist in an Innocent Spouse or Injured Spouse application. Or, you may not understand a letter or notice your have received from the IRS and we may be able to help with information and answers to questions about your taxes.
The LITC can help you make sense of the tax system, and know what your rights and responsibilities are under our tax laws. If you are experiencing a hardship, or will be put in hardship if the IRS attempts to collect a tax from you, contact the LITC and talk with our attorneys or paralegals.
The Tax Clinics are a free legal aid service to assist low-income taxpayers with controversies over their federal taxes. If you have received a Notice or other communication from the IRS that your tax return will be changed, that you owe additional taxes, that the IRS is about to levy your wages or put a lien on your home, contact the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) at 1-800-346-5592, or attend one of our regional Tax Clinics.
Low-income citizens in South Carolina have important connections to federal, state and local tax systems. With the federal welfare reform of 1996, a greater proportion of low-income citizens are working, earning taxable wages and are paying taxes. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the nation's largest income transfer program for low-income working people with children. The last report, however, is that for South Carolina there remained on the table in 2002 more than $30 million available to our citizens when properly qualified and if they file tax returns.