Just Imagine — Money from the IRS!

Who would think that the Internal Revenue Service would be giving money to the College? Well, that’s just what has happened, and it is for a very good cause. The IRS has granted Ithaca College $57,000 to establish central New York’s first clinic serving low-income taxpayers and people for whom English is a second language. Supported by matching funds from the College, the clinic will assist people who live within a 50-mile radius of Ithaca. Although it will not offer tax-preparation services, it will assist qualified taxpayers with compliance, audit, and collection issues and represent them in tax- related controversies with federal and state tax authorities. It will also work to inform ESL taxpayers of their rights and responsibilities.

"These clinics fill a critical need," says IRS commissioner Charles O. Rossotti. "They . . . help people who frequently have nowhere else to turn for professional assistance on tax matters."

A federal program passed into law in 1998 allows the IRS to award organizations annual matching grants of up to $100,000. Grants are awarded on a variety of factors, including the quality of service, the number of low-income taxpayers served, and the number of people in a service area who speak English as a second language.

"According to federal law, any person who falls below the income ceiling and has any interaction with the Internal Revenue Service, whether it be an audit or a collection proceeding or whatever, qualifies for free advocacy from a low-income tax clinic," says Alan H. Cohen, associate professor of accounting and director of the clinic (pictured, with students). "This grant gives Ithaca College a way to go out into the community and use our expertise to help through a qualified government program."

Cohen, a certified public accountant for 25 years, is currently visiting ESL programs in the community. He will directly supervise the senior-level accounting and finance majors who will provide tax advocacy during the school year. "Participating in the clinics," Cohen says, "is a good way for someone studying accounting or finance to not only get grounded in the theory of tax advising but to actually get firsthand experience doing it."

Photo by George Sapio