Legal Services of North Florida receives IRS grant for Low Income Tax Clinic Program

TALLAHASSEE, FL. - With tax season right around the corner, an IRS grant will help a local non-profit organization continue providing free tax advice and counseling for low-income individuals.   

Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. (LSNF) announced today that it will receive $100,000 from the IRS to fund a local chapter of the federal Low Income Tax Clinic Program (LITC).

The grant would allow LSNF to continue the operation of ongoing tax clinics within three existing legal services offices serving 10 counties.  The grant will also support outreach and workshops for individuals in the community for whom English is a second language (ESL).

The LITC program helps organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to low-income taxpayers to resolve tax disputes with the IRS and informs ESL taxpayers about their taxpayer rights and responsibilities. LSNF has provided this program since 2000.

“This program is integral to the communities LSNF serves,” said Kris Knab, executive director, LSNF. “Through the grant we will be able to obtain tax refunds, reduce tax debts, and continue providing individuals with critical tax counseling they would have no access to otherwise.”

LSNF is a non-profit organization providing no cost civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in 16 counties since 1976. The organization’s diverse and dedicated staff serve over 6,500 clients each year from five office locations throughout the Florida Panhandle.

The grant will allow LSNF to provide representation and referral activities in 10 counties, targeting individuals who do not exceed 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and ESL taxpayers.  The IRS grant will allow LSNF to represent 100 new clients and provide 650 consultations in 2015, along with conducting six general education activities, 65 outreach activities, and 12 ESL outreach events, reaching thousands of individuals.  

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