WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program Office issued its second annual program report on how LITCs assist thousands of low income taxpayers nationwide with pro bono representation, education, and advocacy services.

The LITCs provide free or low-cost assistance to low income taxpayers who have a tax dispute with the IRS, such as an audit or collection matter, and conduct education and outreach to taxpayers who speak English as a second language (ESL).  LITCs also advocate for low income taxpayers and highlight the need to change administrative practices and procedures that cause their clients economic hardship.

“The LITCs help taxpayers achieve favorable outcomes in cases, access benefits administered through the tax system, and resolve tax debts, levies, and liens.  During 2012, LITCs helped taxpayers secure more than $5.8 million in tax refunds and eliminate nearly $35.5 million in tax liabilities, penalties and interest,” said William P. Nelson, LITC Program Director.  The report provides an overview and history of the LITC Program, discusses the type of work the LITCs perform, and explains how their work helps ensure the fairness and integrity of the tax system.

The LITC program has a three-prong mission to represent, educate, and advocate for taxpayers.  Included in the report are several stories that provide examples of how LITCs have helped taxpayers.  One taxpayer was facing a levy action that put her in danger of losing her home but the LITC was able to negotiate an offer in compromise to eliminate the debt and keep the taxpayer in her home.  LITCs employ staff but also rely on the contributions of volunteers.  In 2012, taxpayers benefited from over 59,000 volunteer hours provided by nearly 2,300 LITC volunteers.

The LITC program awards matching grants of up to $100,000 per year to qualifying organizations to develop, expand, or maintain a low income taxpayer clinic.  The grant program is administered by the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS, led by the National Taxpayer Advocate.  Although LITCs receive partial funding from the IRS, LITCs, their employees and volunteers operate independently from the IRS.  LITCs are generally operated by:

• clinical programs at accredited law, business, or accounting schools;
• legal aid or legal services organizations; and
• other tax exempt organizations that serve low income individuals and families.

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Program Report is available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5066.pdf.

Bartering is the trading of one product or service for another. Often there is no exchange of cash. Small businesses sometimes barter to get products or services they need. For example, a plumber might trade plumbing work with a dentist for dental services.

If you barter, you should know that the value of products or services from bartering is taxable income.

Here are four facts about bartering:

1. Barter exchanges.  A barter exchange is an organized marketplace where members barter products or services. Some exchanges operate out of an office and others over the Internet. All barter exchanges are required to issue Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions. The exchange must give a copy of the form to its members who barter and file a copy with the IRS.
2. Bartering income.  Barter and trade dollars are the same as real dollars for tax purposes and must be reported on a tax return. Both parties must report as income the fair market value of the product or service they get.
3. Tax implications.  Bartering is taxable in the year it occurs. The tax rules may vary based on the type of bartering that takes place. Barterers may owe income taxes, self-employment taxes, employment taxes or excise taxes on their bartering income.
4. Reporting rules.  How you report bartering on a tax return varies. If you are in a trade or business, you normally report it on Form 1040, Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business.

For more information, see the Bartering Tax Center in the business section on IRS.gov.

Additional IRS Resources:

• 1040 Central
• IRS Tax Map
• Tax Topic 420 – Bartering Income
• Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income

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