Thursday, March 28, 2024

Clinic offers residents advice for tax season

March 1, 2001

It has been said there are two things in this world that are absolutely certain: death and taxes.

While it’s impossible to do anything about the first, the MSU-Detroit College of Law Tax Clinic, 541 E. Grand River Ave., aims to help members of the community cope with the second.

The clinic prepares federal, state and local tax returns for people who speak English as their second language. It also handles cases and controversies, such as delinquency notices, with the Internal Revenue Service and the United States Tax Court for low-income area residents.

Last year the clinic handled 79 clients. Wednesday afternoon the number already sat at 148.

Tax clinician Erin Reedy, a third-year law student at MSU-DCL, welcomes the increased business.

“It’s rewarding and challenging,” she said. “I like it.”

Reedy said tax codes are very complex and sometimes the language barrier can present a problem.

“It’s very challenging to try to explain to someone who doesn’t speak English as a primary language,” she said.

Michele Halloran, director of the Tax Clinic, said although more clients will mean some long evenings, she still enjoys her work.

“The busier we are, the better,” Halloran said.

And with the April 16 filing deadline fast approaching, Halloran expects things to speed up.

“We expect we’ll be primarily busy from March 15 through April 16,” she said.

Halloran said many people wait until the last minute, but for those who expect to get refunds, that might not always be the best idea.

“The sooner you file, the better if you have a refund due,” she said. “Don’t procrastinate and don’t be intimidated by the fact you have returns to file.”

The tax clinic is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information call 336-8084.

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