The Valdosta Regional Office of Georgia Legal Services Program is spearheading a multi-county effort to help local residents prepare their federal tax returns free of charge.

The Georgia Legal Services Program provides free legal help to low-income Georgians on typical poverty law matters such as landlord/tenant law, foreclosure, family and consumer law. Founded in 1971 by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, GLSP focuses on legal problems and households not served by most lawyers. The recession has motivated GLSP attorneys and paralegals to focus resources on legal assistance for economic matters that can help low-income Georgians with critical issues involving public benefits, health care access, shelter and income.

GLSP has partnered with the IRS to provide mobile outreach sites for free federal tax assistance for the 2010 tax year. The effort includes building local community agency partnerships. "GLSP advocates know so much about helping people protect their incomes and addressing consumer rights.   Assisting our clients with their taxes is a logical step in a holistic approach to poverty law and education," says Mike Monahan, GLSP's Pro Bono Director.

GLSP's free tax clinics will be available to people in Berrien, Brooks, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, and Tift Counties.

Jataryia Thomas, GLSP's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coordinator, adds, "We understand that our clients need to save every last penny, now more than ever. We can talk to them about their taxes and help them with other economic issues that are, or might become, legal problems."

Thomas noted that community volunteers are needed for the GLSP tax assistance effort. "With the help of the IRS VITA program, we can offer volunteers a chance to help people in their community and learn some very useful skills in the process," Thomas noted. If you are in the Valdosta region and you are interested in volunteering become a VITA tax preparer, contact Thomas at jthomas.valdosta@glsp.org.

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The mission of the Georgia Legal Services Program is to provide access to justice and opportunities out of poverty for Georgians with low-incomes. Our lawyers and paralegals provide the help that reflects your community's values of fairness, equality, and responsibility to assist others in need.