Prairie State Legal Services Sees Success with Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

In 2021, Prairie State Legal Services’ Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) represented 230 taxpayers, opened 108 new cases, and closed 103 cases. LITC helped secure $36,000 in economic impact payments, $30,600 in refunds and decrease or correct $1,119,656 in tax liabilities.

Prairie State’s LITC provides help with audits, appeals and tax collection disputes. They also can represent taxpayers in court and provide information about taxpayer rights for those who speak English as a second language. While we don’t prepare taxes, we can help with issues involving IRS action or debt. Most commonly, clients come to us after they have received a notice from the IRS alerting them to some kind of tax liability, or when the IRS starts taking collection action such as garnishing wages or placing a lien on a property.

The clinic serves residents living in our 36-county service area whose incomes are generally below 250% of the federal poverty guideline.

“Tax issues can affect anyone, and achieving a correct outcome in an IRS dispute should not be dependent on someone’s ability to pay for representation,” said Frank DiPietro, Low Income Tax Clinic Director, West Suburban office. “We want to ensure that all taxpayers obtain fair results within the tax system and empower them to exercise all of their rights, regardless of income level.”

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the clinic hotline at 1-855-TAX-PSLS (1-855-829-7725).