MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Bookstein Tax Clinic Granted $45,000

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Feb. 20, 2008) — The United States Department of Treasury has awarded Cal State Northridge’s Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation Clinic $45,000 to help launch a free federal tax controversy resolution service.

The controversy resolution, or tax dispute, service is offered to low-income taxpayers who face a dispute with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and reside within the Los Angeles area.

"The grant from the U.S. Treasury Department is of vital importance to the newly launched Bookstein Tax Clinic as it provides matching funds for the clinic to serve low income taxpayers in our area," said Rafi Efrat, director of the clinic and professor of accounting and information systems. "The grant also provides increased visibility and support from the IRS for the unique services our clinic offers in the area."

Under the supervision of a tax professional-faculty, CSUN students represent members of the community free of charge. Student clinicians receive instruction on the intricacies of substantive tax law, preparation and procedure. In turn, they educate the taxpayers in a wide array of tax issues. More than 40 students currently work in the clinic.

By helping to resolve controversies, graduate and undergraduate students obtain invaluable skills including preparing cases for appeals conferences, interviewing clients and negotiating settlements with the IRS, Efrat said.

"Aside from providing assistance with tax disputes, the students also facilitate free educational workshops throughout the community on the rights and responsibilities of taxpayers," he said.

Cal State Northridge’s College of Business and Economics is home to several nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside faculty members and business professionals in a variety of areas.

Cal State Northridge has 35,000 full- and part-time students and offers 64 bachelor’s and 50 master’s degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, CSUN is among the largest single-campus universities in the nation and the only four-year public university in the San Fernando Valley. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.

For more information on the Bookstein Tax Clinic call (818) 677-3600.