June 14, 2021

Alum Recognized for her Work with Immigrant Taxpayers

Rebecca Richman,’19, who tragically passed away in the fall of 2019, was recognized in a Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) story for her work helping immigrant families while a clinic student with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).

Rebecca Richman’19 who tragically passed away in the fall of 2019, was recognized in a Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) story for her work helping immigrant families while a clinic student with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).

Lewis & Clark established a scholarship in her honor in January 2020.

An immigrant couple with limited literacy skills and no English language ability needed help to navigate an audit of certain credits on their joint tax return,” the TAS story states. “Due to the circumstances of their birth, several of the family’s children did not have birth certificates.”

“The student representative [Rebecca Richman] wrote a brilliant and beautiful letter detailing the family’s journey and explaining why the birth certificates did not exist,” the story continues. “She obtained immigration records, school records, medical records, and more to show that the taxpayers met the relationship and residency tests required for eligibility for the credits claimed on their return.”

Rebecca’s work with the LITC was significant, as “ultimately, the LITC prevailed and succeeded in obtaining a reduction in tax liability of over $12,000, demonstrating that it is important to consider alternate documentation to show eligibility for various tax credits.”