February 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Daubert
805-756-2951; litc@calpoly.edu

Grant Money from Chevron, Federal Government Helps Cal Poly
Create Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Financial grants from Chevron Corporation and the federal government have facilitated the creation of the Cal Poly Low Income Taxpayer Clinic for residents of San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties.

The clinic, which began operating in February, assists taxpayers involved in controversies with the IRS; and provides education and outreach services on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. taxpayers. The clinic will provide these services to low-income taxpayers at no charge in accordance with federal guidelines.

Cal Poly undergraduate and graduate tax students, working under the direction and supervision of Orfalea College of Business faculty, assist in the delivery of the clinic’s services to taxpayers consistent with Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing philosophy.

The clinic’s tax controversy services include representing low-income taxpayers – including individuals who speak English as a second language – in disputes involving an IRS account, collection, examination, or IRS Appeals Office matter, or a federal tax matter in the U.S. Tax Court; assistance to a victim of identity theft on a federal tax matter; or an unresolved federal tax account.

The clinic also provides education, outreach and direct consultation services regarding federal taxpayer rights and responsibilities for low-income taxpayers and will provide assistance to ESL taxpayers in the preparation of prior years’ federal tax returns or other required tax forms.

The clinic’s offices are located in the Orfalea College of Business on Cal Poly’s campus.

The clinic’s tax services complement Cal Poly’s successful Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which has served the California Central Coast since 1991. 

For more information, contact Sara Daubert, clinic administrator, at 805-756-2951 or e-mail the clinic at litc@calpoly.edu.

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