The ABA Tax Section has released this press release and survey of Low Income Tax Clinics around the country to gauge their need for assitance from pro bono attorneys. Here are the recommendations from the survey:
Based on the results of the survey, as summarized below, the number of low income taxpayers who could be assisted by LITCs may increase with the use of pro bono attorneys. However, the amount of time needed to recruit and establish a panel of qualified volunteers, monitor the referred cases, and prepare reports for LITC grant purposes on the work of volunteers limits the ability of some LITCs to use pro bono volunteers. Notably academic LITCs, due to their primary mission as educational institutions, appear to have less of a need for pro bono volunteers. Given the commitment of the Section to encourage its members to assist low income taxpayers and LITCs, this study suggests opportunities for the Section to systemically assist LITCs while at the same time encouraging its members to participate. The Pro Bono Committee makes the following recommendations.
1. The Section agrees to develop and promote pro bono opportunities.
a. The Section Pro Bono Attorney will be designated to develop, administer and maintain an online LITC/Section member pro bono opportunity match program. This program would allow LITCs to post their need for volunteers and allow Section members interested in pro bono opportunities to identify and assist those LITCs most in need of volunteers.
b. The Pro Bono Committee will continue to reach out to other appropriate organizations regarding LITC pro bono opportunities.
c. The Section will publish annually an “Honor Roll” listing all Section members, firms and other organizations that have provided pro bono help to LITC clients.
2. The Section will continue to develop and operate training sessions for its members that wish to volunteer with LITCs.
a. The Pro Bono Committee, working with the Low Income Taxpayer Committee and the Pro Bono Attorney, will continue to sponsor a training program twice a year at Section meetings to help Section members become familiar with the kinds of work they might be asked to do for LITC clients. The Section will also provide audio recordings from these meetings on its website.
b. The Pro Bono Attorney will survey LITCs to determine what training materials and resources currently exist with the goal of using such materials to develop the Section training materials.
3. The Section will create a clearinghouse for publicity and marketing materials for LITCs interested in reaching more low income taxpayers.
a. The Pro Bono Attorney will contact LITCs and obtain information on successful methods of publicizing and attracting low income taxpayers who qualify for pro bono assistance, including publicity and marketing plans, flyers, posters, brochures, networking, etc.
b. The Pro Bono Attorney will work to make such information available on the Section website to help LITCs attract clients.
c. The Section will produce an audio news release informing the general population of the existence of the LITCs and providing information on how to locate an LITC in each state.
From the press release:
In response to the survey results, the ABA Tax Section is developing an online pro bono match program for those Low Income Taxpayer Clinics that seek outside tax assistance for current and potential clients. The service will enable LITC personnel to go online and describe their needs, while allowing section members who are interested in pro bono work to sign up and locate the clinics that need their help. The section will also develop training materials to help members become familiar with issues specific to LITC clients, such as the earned income tax credit, stimulus payment protocols and English as a Second Language issues. Through its outreach to taxpayers, the section will also help publicize the LITCs and the tax assistance they provide nationwide.
