IR-2006-62, April 14, 2006 WASHINGTON — The National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina E. Olson, announced that the Internal Revenue Service has awarded $8 million in matching grants to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) for the 2006 grant cycle (Jan. 1, 2006, through Dec. 31, 2006). LITCs are qualifying organizations that represent low income taxpayers involved in tax disputes with the IRS or that provide education on tax rights and responsibilities to taxpayers for whom English is a second language or who have limited English proficiency. For more details about the languages in addition to English served by LITCs, see Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. The LITC grant program, now in its eighth year, encourages the creation and growth of Low Income Taxpayer Clinics across the nation. LITCs provide free or nominal cost assistance to taxpayers who otherwise may not be able to afford a tax professional. Under the program, the IRS awards matching grants of up to $100,000 a year to organizations operating independent tax clinics. For the 2006 grant cycle, the IRS awarded LITC grants to 150 organizations representing 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Questions about the LITC Program can be addressed to the LITC Program Office at (212) 298 -2227 (not a toll-free call) or by email at LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov. Related Link: 2006 LITC Grants PDF (PDF 104K) Pub. 4134 PDF, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List (PDF 138.8K) Subscribe to IRS Newswire