This is a one-semester experiential course where students learn about low-income taxpayer issues as well as prepare individual income tax returns and offer tax advice for low-income taxpayers in the Tompkins County community. In addition to providing a valuable service to the community, students develop their professional skills and client service skills as well as proficiency with a professional tax preparation software product and a deeper understanding of technical tax issues.

Outcome 1
Connect and extend knowledge from prior courses and/or training to provide excellent tax law and tax accounting services to low-income taxpayers in the Tompkins County community.

Outcome 2
Explain complex tax issues in an understandable way to clients.

Outcome 3
Identify and carry out distinct roles in an inter-professional standard, reflect on personal progress, and identify lessons for future work.

Outcome 4
Establish personal learning goals considering relevant professional standards, reflect on personal progress, and identify lessons for future work.

Outcome 5
Elicit community partner and client experience in working with the clinic. Analyze success in meeting their goals.

Outcome 6
Examine differences, seek to acquire cultural knowledge as appropriate, and practice appropriate interaction with community partners and clients.