November 23, 2020

LITC Presents to Migrant Parents and Educators

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) at Lewis & Clark Law School presented at the annual Oregon Migrant Education Program (MEP) Conference, November 6 and 7, 2020.

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) at Lewis & Clark Law School presented at the annual Oregon Migrant Education Program (MEP) Conference, November 6 and 7, 2020.

The two-day virtual conference was an opportunity for MEP staff and migrant parents to learn about tax issues that affect the migrant community. Sarah Lora, Director of LITC, and clinic student Karla Márquez ’23 presented “ITIN Applications and Renewals” in English on November 6, and twice in Spanish on November 7.

“The COVID-19 emergency caused many people, especially non-English speakers, to struggle with finding services to complete their taxes. We were excited to present at the MEP Conference because of the opportunity to serve hard to reach populations,” commented Professor Lora.

An Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) is a number used by taxpayers to file tax returns when they lack a valid Social Security number (SSN). ITINs are issued by the IRS, and allow undocumented taxpayers to comply with their tax filing obligations. The “ITIN Applications and Renewals” presentation provided an overview of the differences between how the SSN and ITIN can be used; how to apply for an ITIN; and where low-income taxpayers can seek support with tax issues.

“Working on this presentation with Professor Lora and then having the opportunity to speak to educators and parents in both languages reminded me of why I came to law school,” Márquez said about creating and interpreting the presentation. “I am passionate about creating opportunities for non-English speaking communities to access quality legal information.”