Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic: 30 Years, Still Strong
In the midst of COVID this summer, the Spragens Federal Tax Clinic participated with the Washington, DC IRS counsel’s office in the country’s second “virtual settlement day”.
By the fall term, all have now acclimated to virtual life—clients, students, IRS, and the US Tax Court. After a slowdown in the spring, this summer and fall have brought a surprising number of new cases. Our fall students adapted quickly and have seen some fine early results. They have obtained sorely needed collection relief for taxpayers coping with the economic downturn coupled with physical and mental health issues. They brought to closure several longstanding matters involving arbitrary and wrongful denials of the earned income credit for prior years. They have responded to tax issues raised by clients in our sister clinics (Domestic Violence, International Human Rights, etc.). In addition to our usual docket of controversy cases, the clinic has been assisting clients to pursue sorely needed EIP- economic impact payments. As the Tax Clinic celebrates our 30th anniversary, we find our purpose and our work as relevant and important as ever.