Lawyers have a reputation for being bad at math. What better way to fix that reputation than by helping others crunch numbers? Something scarier than the Amityville House is upon us — tax season. Many of us could use some hand holding to figure out what we owe the government and what the government owes us. Chances are you’ve already heard the H&R Block commercials peddling their wares, but Vermont residents could have a more accessible option nearby: their law school. V News has coverage:
For the second year in a row Vermont Law and Graduate School students will be available to assist Upper Valley residents who make less than $69,000 a year file their taxes for free.
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“I think it’s an important resource because a lot of people don’t know the benefits they’re entitled to,” said Pamela Cartier…“They walked out with $7,000, $8,000 dollars that they needed as single parents to help care for their children,” Cartier said. “That’s always really nice.”
That’s a huge chunk of money! And even if tax season doesn’t hit them with a windfall, the peace of mind from knowing that they won’t have to deal with the IRS a-knocking is invaluable. If you or someone you know qualifies for assistance, you can reach the school at 802-831-1363 to schedule in advance; they’re running the program through April 15th. If you’re outside of their service area, the lower half of the article has information on what to do if you’re in Randolph, Ascutney, Bradford, Lebanon, New London, Newport, White River Junction, or Woodstock, Vermont.
Is your law school doing community outreach? Let us know at tips@abovethelaw.com. It is easy to fall in to the habit of thinking of law schools as degree mills you attend before you get your law firm job, but so much student action has gone to show that they play an important role in advocating for and protecting their communities.
Out & About: Vermont Law Students Offer Free Tax Filing Assistance To Low-Income Residents [V News]
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s . He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who is learning to swim, is interested in critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
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