WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has awarded nearly $10 million in matching grants to Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) for the 2010 grant cycle (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2010).

LITCs are organizations that represent low-income taxpayers in federal tax controversies with the IRS for free or for a nominal charge, provide tax education and outreach for taxpayers who speak English as a second language, or both.

Through the LITC program, the IRS awards matching grants of up to $100,000 a year to qualifying organizations. For the 2010 grant cycle, the IRS awarded LITC grants to 160 organizations. LITCs and their employees and volunteers operate independently of the federal government.

The LITC grant program is a federal program administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, led by National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson.

Questions about the LITC Program can be addressed to the LITC Program Office at (202) 622-4711 (not a toll-free call) or by e-mail at LITCProgramOffice@irs.gov. IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List, provides information on LITCs in each geographic area and the languages each clinic serves in addition to English. It is available at www.irs.gov or at local IRS offices.

Organizations Receiving LITC Grants for the 2010 Cycle