Providing Pro-Bono Tax Return Preparation

As part of her Community Service, Sabina Gulmaliyeva (Azerbaijan), a 2008 Law fellow at University of Miami, volunteered at HOPE (Helping Others Through Pro Bono Efforts) Public Interest Resource Center at the University’s Law School.  HOPE provides a variety of projects reaching various underserved and at-risk populations locally, nationally and abroad. During the Fall semester, Sabina discussed various projects within HOPE with its supervisor and enrolled in the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (VITA/TCE).

IRS VITA/TCE is a nationwide program that provides free tax assistance to low-income individuals who need help with basic income tax return preparation. Sabina assisted law-income persons with preparation of their tax returns and provided basic tax advice. As all VITA volunteers, Sabina received  tax training from the IRS, passed a test and became certified to be eligible to do this community service.

Sabina says “I find my experience very interesting and rewarding in that I have not taken any tax law courses here at school. And by virtue of this program, I have gained an understanding of the US basic tax law and I have had an instant chance to practice my skills by providing tax advice to people. This is very enjoyable also because I studied tax law in law school back in Azerbaijan and I had advised on some tax law issues while working as a counselor for the law firm. On the other hand and which I believe is particularly helpful, is that now I am able to assist the community with some of their tax issues.  At this point, I feel happy and helpful to be able even indirectly to assist the US government by helping their tax payers to fulfill some of their duties.”