Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

Information for Tax Payers

You may be eligible for assistance through the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic if:

  • You owe less than $50,000 to the Internal Revenue Service each year; and
  • Your total household income is below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Please consult the chart below to see if you qualify.

2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Size of Household         Maximum Annual Income
1                                        32,200
2                                        43,550
3                                        54,900
4                                        66,250
5                                        77,600
6                                        88,950
7                                      100,300
8                                      111,650

How to Become a Client of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

If you meet the above qualifications, please call our intake line at (415) 782-8978 and leave a message with your name, telephone number, and the best time to reach you.

You may also send an email to litc@sfbar.org with your contact information and a brief description of your tax issue. After receiving your message, we will contact you to set up an initial telephone intake with the supervising attorney. Please note that all potential clients must provide proof of income and comply with the Justice & Diversity Center’s client rules and responsibilities. If you are accepted into the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, we will attempt to find a volunteer tax professional to assist you with your case. We cannot guarantee that a volunteer will be available to assist you. Placement with a volunteer usually takes between four to eight weeks from the date of acceptance, but may take longer.

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic does not prepare or file tax returns. For assistance with tax return preparation, consider visiting a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) site near you.

Types of Issues We Can Assist With:

Cases involving a controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including:

  • Unpaid taxes
  • Federal tax liens and levies
  • Audits
  • Cases with the IRS Appeals Office
  • Federal tax litigation in U.S. Tax Court or District Court
  • Innocent Spouse claims
  • You have been the victim of identity theft related to Federal tax
  • Franchise Tax Board matter, but only if we are also assisting you with a related IRS issue

    • Client Intake Line

    (415) 782-8978

    For more information, please email litc@sfbar.org.
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