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Student-run taxpayer clinic makes taxes a lot simpler

Photo

Rick Cummings

WHITEWATER — Income taxes are confusing.

The rules are complicated, and the forms are cumbersome.

And when mail arrives from the Internal Revenue Service, taxpayers shudder, afraid to uncover what the federal government wants next.

Irene Hustad, 22, knows that feeling well. A graduate student at UW-Whitewater, she works with low-income and non-English-speaking taxpayers through the university’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic.

“I had someone who came in with a notice they had received, and it was all in English,” she said. “And they don’t speak English.

“Here they thought they owed money when it actually was telling them how much they received.”

The clinic is only one of three in the state; the other two are in Milwaukee and Wausau. It serves a four-county area, including Dane, Jefferson, Rock and Walworth counties. The clinic is in its second year of service.

UW-Whitewater received a $50,000 grant this year and last year to operate the clinic.

Rick Cummings, an assistant professor of economics and director of the clinic, said the clinic teaches taxpayers about their rights and responsibilities through workshops and assists them with tax “controversies,” such as audits, appeals and collection disputes.

“It’s helpful to people … who could probably not get the help they need to work with the IRS about tax problems they might have,” he said.

Cummings said the clinic works primarily with people in classes teaching English as a second language.

Graduate accounting students operate the clinic and give the presentations. Last year, 12 students logged more than 700 hours, Cummings said, and they reached a couple hundred people.

The students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life situations.

“It provides students an opportunity to interact with people in the community,” Cummings said. “To do real projects with real people.”

Hustad said her experience with the clinic since January has been “eye-opening.”

“It’s a great feeling knowing you can help them,” she said. “We’re an outlet for them to ask questions of people who know.”

Do you qualify for tax assistance?

Size of family Income ceiling (250% of federal poverty guidelines)

1 $26,000

2 $35,000

3 $44,000

4 $53,000

5 $62,000

For family units with more than five members, add $9,000 for each additional member.

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For more information about the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, call (262) 472-1293 or toll-free 1-877-899-5482, send an e-mail to litc@uww.edu or visit www.uww.edu/cobe/litc/index.html.