At Tax Clinic, Some Relief From Those Low-Income Blues

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

In two-thirds of the cases, there was no fraud. But the damage caused by withholding the refunds had been done.

"I think the emphasis of IRS enforcement on low-income taxpayers is overwhelmingly disproportionate to upper-income taxpayers," said Richelle Friedman, a senior program associate at the Children's Defense Fund and coordinator of the tax assistance program. "Focusing on this [earned income tax credit] program and withholding refunds was unconscionable, and not letting them know is a dangerous precedent."

Lawrence, the cook, had more immediate concerns. When a volunteer asked for documents that might qualify her for more tax breaks, Lawrence went to her apartment to look for them but returned empty-handed.

"I have a dependent, a son I've been sending money to in jail," Lawrence said. But she had no record of it. Nor could she find receipts for the monthly payments she was making on a student loan.

"You may not qualify for the earned income tax credit," the volunteer said. "So let's look at the lifetime earning credit and see what we can do."

Lawrence let out a weary sigh.

"I don't have anything to show for that, either," she said.

E-mail: milloyc@washpost.com

< 2