The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), led by Professor Andy Weiner, has been awarded a three-year grant by the National Taxpayer Advocate that will enable it to build on a strong start. In the Fall 2021 semester, its first in operation, the LITC signed up approximately 30 clients, brought three cases in the Tax Court and trained eight students, with another group of students registered for the spring.
“I’m excited about the possibilities this grant creates for us,” said Weiner. “Among other things, the LITC teaches students that tax justice is social justice, and with this grant we can both pursue justice for more people and train more students to do social justice work.”
The LITC provides free legal representation to qualifying taxpayers with federal tax disputes and focuses on taxpayers in Philadelphia and Northeast Pennsylvania. Students and attorney volunteers, working under Professor Weiner’s supervision, represent low income taxpayers in audits, administrative appeals, and collections before the IRS and in federal tax litigation before the U.S. Tax Court and district courts. Students also give presentations to community groups and nonprofit organizations to help taxpayers access various supports channeled through our tax system and know their rights. Combined with Temple Law’s Low Income Taxpayer Policy and Practice course, which includes service in a local VITA clinic, the LITC offers Temple students the chance to experience the full range of tax practice from return preparation to planning to controversy, and gain insight into the power and difficulties our tax system holds for low income taxpayers.
The Center for Tax Law and Public Policy at Temple University Beasley School of Law serves as a hub for all tax-related activities at Temple Law, and provides easy access to the vast array of opportunities that exist for current Temple Law students, prospective students, and alumni seeking to expand their knowledge of tax policy. Read more about the Center here.