Tax Law Project at Legal Aid of Nebraska
Roxanne Alhejaj, Tax Attorney, Legal Aid of Nebraska, and
Shirley Peng, Director of Debt and Finance Unit, Legal Aid of Nebraska
Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Tax Law Project offers direct services to low-income taxpayers and provides pro bono opportunities to tax law attorneys and other tax professionals. Legal Aid of Nebraska’s Tax Law Project works to ensure fairness and integrity of the tax system. We are always welcoming new attorneys who would like to learn more about tax law and are willing to assist low-income taxpayers with their disputed matters with the IRS. Legal Aid of Nebraska does not file tax returns for taxpayers, but we can assist with tax return processing issues and other legal issues.
Legal Aid of Nebraska hosts the Nebraska Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) which is a grant program administered by the Taxpayer Advocate Service of the IRS. As an LITC, Legal Aid of Nebraska represents taxpayers directly in tax disputes with the IRS, educates taxpayers about their rights and responsibilities, and advocates on behalf of taxpayers regarding issues that affect low-income taxpayers on a systemic level. Tax attorneys with Legal Aid do LITC outreach programs to educate low-income taxpayers. Additionally, the LITC partners with a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to ensure that taxpayers have resources to file their tax returns.
Legal Aid’s Tax Law Project can assist with a consultation regardless of income and assets and can provide full representation by a Legal Aid attorney or a pro bono attorney if the taxpayer qualifies by not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. Typically, cases within the Tax Law Project involve seeking collection alternatives with the IRS, such as placing taxpayers into currently non-collectible status, setting up payment plans, and settling tax debt through offers in compromise. The Tax Law Project also assists with audits and examinations, appealing IRS decisions, Tax Court Representation, Identity Theft, and Innocent Spouse relief for victims of domestic abuse.
The Tax Law Project has a few ongoing pro bono volunteer attorneys that have volunteered 127 hours in the first half of 2025. However, we are always seeking new pro bono volunteer attorneys to assist taxpayers with their disputes with the IRS. Volunteer attorneys are covered by Legal Aid of Nebraska’s malpractice insurance when handling cases through our pro bono program. Many cases that volunteer attorneys can help with take less than a few hours to assist the taxpayer. Oftentimes, the taxpayer just needs assistance with responding to IRS correspondence, sending in proper documentation, or having a representative call the IRS to resolve the matter. The Tax Law Project assists pro bono volunteers with resources and mentoring in tax law matters as well. A volunteer attorney does not need any tax experience to volunteer with the Tax Law Project.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at info@legalaidofnebraska.org.
