Financial Stability Assistance
Gulfcoast Legal Services (GLS) offers a variety of legal services to help clients maintain financial and income stability. These services address a wide range of legal matters that, without representation, can be devastating to clients. These services fall into three general categories: Consumer, Public Benefits, and Tax. Examples of cases GLS may handle are listed below:
Consumer Matters
- Medical Bills
- Contracts
- Public Utilities Issues
- Bankruptcy Advice
- Debt Collection Defense
- Creditor Harassment
- Garnishment of Social Security and Wages
- Birth Certificate and Identification Matters
Public Benefits
- Social Security Appeals
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
- SSD (Disability)
- Unemployment Compensation
- SNAP/Food Stamps
- Veterans Benefits
Tax Controversies
GLS operates a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program, which provides legal representation to low income taxpayers (income up to 250% of federal poverty level guidelines) who are involved in tax controversies with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We will evaluate each taxpayer's situation individually to determine eligibility. Our LITC program is partially funded by the IRS but GLS is not associated with the Federal government.
We provide services to low income taxpayers living in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Lee Counties. GLS is independent from the IRS; however, we can provide representation before the IRS including audits, tax collection disputes, court, and other issues for free or for a small fee. Specifically, we provide the following services to eligible taxpayers:
Note that GLS does not provide tax preparation services unless it is ancillary to a case in which we are already representing the client.
If an individual’s native language is not English, we can provide multilingual information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities.
GLS operates a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program, which provides legal representation to low income taxpayers (income up to 250% of federal poverty level guidelines) who are involved in tax controversies with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We will evaluate each taxpayer's situation individually to determine eligibility. Our LITC program is partially funded by the IRS but GLS is not associated with the Federal government.
We provide services to low income taxpayers living in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Lee Counties. GLS is independent from the IRS; however, we can provide representation before the IRS including audits, tax collection disputes, court, and other issues for free or for a small fee. Specifically, we provide the following services to eligible taxpayers:
- Respond to Letters from the IRS
- Substantiate Income Tax Credits and Deductions
- Assist with Audits/Examinations
- Innocent Spouse Relief
- Injured Spouse Claims
- IRS Levies and Liens
- Offer In Compromise
- Currently Not Collectible Status
- Installment Agreements
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Tax Court Representation
Note that GLS does not provide tax preparation services unless it is ancillary to a case in which we are already representing the client.
If an individual’s native language is not English, we can provide multilingual information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities.
