LSEM provides free income tax education and outreach to eligible clients. This program targets taxpayers who speak English as a Second Language. LSEM advocates can also help with processing applications for Individual Taxpayer Identifiction Numbers (ITINs).
Assistance is also provided in explaining Earned Income Tax Credits and other tax credits. LSEM's LITC can also provide referral information for
tax preparation assistance, and representation or referral for tax controversies.
Property Tax Reversions
LSEM, in conjunction with the Genesee County Treasurer, is working on a new plan to assist persons about to lose their homes due to failure to pay property taxes. Under this plan, LSEM will be hired to serve notices of deficiencies. At the same time, the firm will process poverty exemptions for future taxes, and investigate defenses to back taxes. LSEM in conjunction with local banks is developing a number of low interest loan packages to pay back taxes if owed. It is anticipated banks will agree to a waiver of many normal costs, including surveys, title searches etc. The Treasurer has agreed to a one-year adjournment for any qualifying person to allow time to get the loan package in place.
This plan was developed in response to a new statute allowing tax reversions to be foreclosed in a three years as opposed to the previous seven-year period. LSEM became involved, because it recognized the negative impact this change would have on the low-income people it serves. LSEM's involvement was also spurred by listening to concerns other human agencies and housing providers expressed about the effect of the new legislation on the low-income population they serve.
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