IRS Awards Grant to Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has awarded a competitive 3-year, $300,000 grant in support of Lewis & Clark’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). The LITC reapplies for these competitive grants every three years, and the award has been continuously granted by the IRS since the Clinic was founded over 20 years ago.  

“We are so grateful to the IRS for this ongoing support of our program,” said Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and LITC Director Sarah Lora. “This grant, together with other generous donations, enables us to provide need-based legal representation free-of-charge to qualified individuals in our community.”

The Clinic delivers a three-pronged program to represent, educate, and advocate for low-income taxpayers and taxpayers and for whom English is a second language.  

Since 2000, the Clinic has successfully represented hundreds of taxpayers in all facets of federal tax litigation, including arguing before the ninth Circuit. Located off-campus in downtown Portland, the LITC is a teaching clinic for the Lewis & Clark Law School. LITC cases maximize opportunities for Lewis & Clark law students to learn and develop practical lawyering skills.

Under professor Lora’s supervision, law students handle all casework and represent taxpayers in tax controversies with the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue. Students work with clients in various administrative proceedings and litigation, including interviewing and counseling clients, conducting factual investigations, drafting documents, negotiating cases, and representing clients in hearings, trials, and appeals.

In addition, Lewis & Clark’s LITC conducts educational events for low-income taxpayers on topics such as tax updates, anti-poverty credits, filing status, worker classification, and ITIN issues. 

For more information, view the LITC website.